Exceptional new book on keris hilts and keris

[Albert]

O.k. I post the review also here:

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Book review by Albert van Zonneveld

Title: Heroes, Gods and Guardians. Hilts and Keris of Indonesia. Huntington Miller Collection.

Author: Bruce W. Carpenter
Photographer: Charla Thompson

Publisher: C. Zwartenkot Art Books - Leiden & Talisman Publishing - Singapore, 2021

ISBN-978-905-45-0024-7
Format: 29 x 22.5 cm
Cloth bound with jacket
Pages: 164
Illustrations: 130 colour photographs and 12 text illustrations
Language: English
Price: € 45.00

The Huntington Miller Collection of keris and keris hilts is incredible. Not because of the number, but because of the unparalleled quality. It is amazing that so many keris and keris hilts of this superb quality are brought together in one collection.
Bruce W. Carpenter guarantees an elaborate text. Informative and with a lot of background meaning. The accompanying texts to the images not only describe the objects as we see them, but also give an explanation of the depicted figures, heroes, gods and guardians, and their role in the mythical world.
Charla Thompsom's photography is sublime. Each object is photographed from multiple sides and not only gives a beautiful picture of the details, but also show their powerful appearance.

In the book, fifty-nine hilts and seven full keris come into the limelight. They originate from Java, Madura, Sumatra, Borneo, Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa, Sulawesi dating from the 15th-16th century to the 19th-early 20th century.

Contents
- Word from the Collectors
- Dance of the Keris
- Highlights
- Gallery
- Java
- Bali & Lombok
- Sumatra, Sulawesi & Borneo
- Royal Keris
- Bibliography and Image Credits

Heroes, Gods and Guardians is a cultural and artistic voyage that delights the eye and stimulates the mind.
It is not just another book on keris hilts, but indeed an indispensable book for those interested in Indonesian culture in general, as well as for collectors and aficionados of the keris in particular. Highly recommended!

[Jean]

Hello dear members,
I received the book and carefully reviewed it and I submit my comments hereafter:
The hilts collection is rather small but of exceptional quality, equivalent to the one shown by Vanna Ghiringhelli in her book: "Kris hilts, masterpieces of South-East Asian art". The pictures are absolutely wonderful also.
The text and descriptions are detailed and interesting as expected from the author who is a renowned specialist of Indonesian culture. I have minor comments about the identification or origin of few hilts as indicated hereafter , but this is not a big deal.
I was particularly interested by the very old ivory hilt shown on pages 46 and 47 (attributed to East Java, 16th century or earlier) as I own a very similar wooden piece (see pics). The author indicates that the figure holds its left hand in abhaya mudra but although it is not clear from the pic, it may actually hold a cut arm as seen on my own pic, so depicting a raksasa (ogre).

Few minor comments about the ID or origin of some hilts:
. The ivory hilt shown on pages 42 & 43 is more probably originating from Cirebon than East Java and its face was probably reshaped due to damage.
. The ivory hilt shown on pages 78 & 79 should rather be classified in jangellan style from East Java/ Madura.
. The wooden planar hilt shown on page 81 is more probably originating from East Java than Solo, and the black kendit band may be dyed (discolored on the front side).
. Page 86: This hilt with a clearly human face and a trunk may not depict Ganesha but Sri Gajah Waktra according to EAN Van Veeendaal.
. Page 90: The figure may not depict Bayu (grimacing face with fangs, unusual attributes).
. Pages 130 & 131: This beautiful Bugis ivory hilt in takala style is also found in East Sumatra (see pic).
. Pages 132 & 133: This Bugis ivory hilt is not originating from Madura (one of the options mentioned by the author).
. Pages 140 & 141: The beautiful ivory hilt fitted on the royal Minangkabau kris is not typically Minang (see my ivory specimen) but from Sijungjung (near Padang) or from Aceh, see a similar wooden specimen.

In summary, a very valuable book for all the kris hilts afficionados!

PS: I am thankful to the author for mentioning me as a "notable collector from the last decades" but am not sure to deserve this distinction as compared to some other members and collectors whom I know...

[A. G. Maisey]

Jean, I have this book on order, so I cannot really comment on anything yet. I rarely buy newly published books relating to the keris, and when I do buy, it is usually because I either know the writer, or I respect the opinions of other people who have commented on the book.

Bruce Carpenter wrote the text for this book. I do not know Bruce Carpenter, and I am doing my best to fill in some background on him, however, I do already have one opinion, and that is that he is "solid" and that he is "---pretty thorough in his research and his work ---". This opinion came from one of the most highly regarded personages involved in Balinese culture today.

Albert's opinion I have taken at full value.

Accordingly, I am already a little bit prejudiced towards a positive opinion of this book, even though I have not yet seen it.

I do hope I am not going to be disappointed.

I think E.A.N. van Veenendaal was the author of "Pamor Atlas"?

Is this correct?

Do we know upon what authority or personal research he based the naming of the Ganesha-like hilt you mention, as "Sri Gajah Waktra"?

I only know Raja Sri Gajah Waktra as an early Balinese ruler. I cannot recall ever having seen this historic figure portrayed in a Ganesha-like form.

[Jean]

Hello Alan
Emile Van Veenendaal wrote the booklet "Pamor Atlas" (2 editions) indeed, and also the booklet "Krisgrepen en scheden uit Bali en Lombok" (also 2 editions) which is the most detailed book about Bali & Lombok hilts which I am aware of. He lived in Lombok for many years and was a friend of the famous collector Alwi Moerad (see pic)
Regards

[A. G. Maisey]

Thank you for that background Jean.

[David]

Hi Jean. Is that the traditional manner in which keris are worn in Lombak? It seems a bit odd and awkward for such large keris.

[Jean]

Hi David,
I frankly don't know but I guess that it should be one of the traditional manners, may be for better showing the kris (and more convenient than the traditional Balinese manner behind the shoulder!).
PS: See attached pic, the text means: "It can also be inserted on the front"

[JustYS]

Originally Posted by David

Hi Jean. Is that the traditional manner in which keris are worn in Lombak? It seems a bit odd and awkward for such large keris.

It seems so David, see below pics when you google search using keyword “busana adat sasak”:

Picture with information text mentioned selepan (weapon) not necessarily Keris.

[Jean]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Do we know upon what authority or personal research he based the naming of the Ganesha-like hilt you mention, as "Sri Gajah Waktra"?

I only know Raja Sri Gajah Waktra as an early Balinese ruler. I cannot recall ever having seen this historic figure portrayed in a Ganesha-like form.

Hello Alan,
Reference to Emile Van Veenendaal's book.