DOEHOENG KASOENDAN (A Soenda Perspective)

[Jean]

Thank you very much Amuk, I noticed such a peculiar scabbard in the book "The Kris" by Edward Frey, third edition, page 57, and I wondered about its origin, so is it from West Java? The hilt is reminiscent of the Ganesha hilts from Cirebon but with some differences.
Regards

[Amuk Murugul]

Originally Posted by Jean

Thank you very much Amuk, I noticed such a peculiar scabbard in the book "The Kris" by Edward Frey, third edition, page 57, and I wondered about its origin, so is it from West Java? The hilt is reminiscent of the Ganesha hilts from Cirebon but with some differences.
Regards

Hullo Jean,
I am sorry to say that I am poverty-stricken wrt bibliography; so I pretty much have to rely on 'fieldwork'. In other words, I have not had access to the book you mention.
As I have previously mentioned in this forum somewhere, the motif on the scabbards represent tree-ferns (Cyathea, bot.). They symbolise the Soenda; 'the highlanders'. So the area covered is western Java (incl. part of Central Java).
The hilt is a stylised vegetal form of Ganesja= Gana Isja= lord of the Ganas, attendants of Siwa.

Best,

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Jean

Thank you very much Amuk, I noticed such a peculiar scabbard in the book "The Kris" by Edward Frey, third edition, page 57, ...

When it is not the same keris we see here!

[Jean]

Originally Posted by Sajen

When it is not the same keris we see here!

Hello Sajen,
Of course the blades are very different but the scabbard and hilt are similar. I can post a pic if required but the original one is very small.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Jean

Hello Sajen,
Of course the blades are very different but the scabbard and hilt are similar. I can post a pic if required but the original one is very small.

Hello Jean,

The blade from the first one in Amuks picture we can't see! So it could be very well the same one, who knows.

Regards,
Detlef

[Interested Party]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hello Jean,

The blade from the first one in Amuks picture we can't see! So it could be very well the same one, who knows.

Regards,
Detlef

No definitely different. The fronds as they radiate out of the center of the wranka are 90 degrees different. The mendaks are not the same as well. But apparently there is a style that is very closely adhered to.

Thank you AM for posting all that you do. I look forward to them. I would love for any information you want to share to get out into the world as well.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Interested Party

No definitely different. The fronds as they radiate out of the center of the wranka are 90 degrees different. The mendaks are not the same as well. But apparently there is a style that is very closely adhered to.

Yes, you are correct. The picture by Fry is very small, after looking again with better light and a magnifying glass I see the differences. Also the fronds in front of the gandar go down instead of up. I have not the best eyes anymore.

Regards,
Detlef

[Jean]

I attach the pic of the kris from Frey for reference and avoiding confusion in some posts....