Keris Pedang

[David]

Hi Anthony. Yes Kusia or Kocet-Kocetan hilt. I wouldn't say it is new, but i would imagine much newer than the blade. The sheath is probably the newest part of the ensemble.
I think you are probably safe calling this blade 19th century. It would be nice to see a photo of the entire blade so that we can see the proportions.
Keris pedang may well have been used by warriors, but my understanding of kocet-kocetan hilts is that thy were most appropriate for the priestly class. I would image this is more an ensemble put together for appearances than actual societal or cultural purposes. I nice acquisition regardless.

[A. G. Maisey]

Yes, I think the present hilt is not really suitable for this keris, but its a nice hilt and these are relatively scarce, even recent ones, so my inclination would be to mount it as a display hilt on a stand.

I think I'd like to see this keris with a bound loncengan, or a cekah solas or cekah redut.

[Anthony G.]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Yes, I think the present hilt is not really suitable for this keris, but its a nice hilt and these are relatively scarce, even recent ones, so my inclination would be to mount it as a display hilt on a stand.

I think I'd like to see this keris with a bound loncengan, or a cekah solas or cekah redut.

Hi David, Hi Alan

You are right to say that this hilt is not suitable and I overlooked on that part. I will swap it according and mount this horn hulu on a stand. Thanks for highlight.

[Anthony G.]

Originally Posted by David

Hi Anthony. Yes Kusia or Kocet-Kocetan hilt. I wouldn't say it is new, but i would imagine much newer than the blade. The sheath is probably the newest part of the ensemble.
I think you are probably safe calling this blade 19th century. It would be nice to see a photo of the entire blade so that we can see the proportions.
Keris pedang may well have been used by warriors, but my understanding of kocet-kocetan hilts is that thy were most appropriate for the priestly class. I would image this is more an ensemble put together for appearances than actual societal or cultural purposes. I nice acquisition regardless.

Hi David

Thanks.

[David]

Thanks for the full view and the cekah solas hilt definitely fits this ensemble better.

[A. G. Maisey]

Looks good.

According to Neka's Big Book of Keris, keris literate people in Bali believe it to be a keris for use in war:-

"Keris dengan bentuk semacam inilah yang diduga oleh para kalangan masyarakat perkerisan sebagai keris yang digunakan sebagai senjata perang."

It is the keris of a warrior.


The quote comes from the notes accompanying Ki Baju Rante P.218

[Anthony G.]

Thank you all for the valuable advice.