Panjang for discussion

VVV · 16th August 2006, 06:57 AM

Thanks for your feedback,
I agree with BluErf and I haven't either seen any old picture of a Panjang with a Jawa Demam hilt. But I have seen them on Bahari and Anak Alang.
Actually this one, and my other Panjang with a Jawa Demam,
http://www.kampungnet.com.sg/modules...view_album.php
are the only ones I have ever seen. But I doubt in these two cases that the dealers, or former collectors, has changed the hilts on those later. This Panjang f.i. comes from the C de Wel collection, who according to my opinion has the best Keris published in the Tammens' trilogy.
I get the feeling that this Keris was more made as a status symbol than actually for use in executions? And probably for someone with his own taste judging by the Greneng?
But that's just my speculations...

I also agree with BluErf's conclusions that the Tapak Kuda is a much more practical hilt for a Keris Penyalang than the Jawa Demam.

Have you noticed that the profile of the blade is slightly arching?

Michael

BluErf · 20th August 2006, 10:25 AM

Yes, panjangs are symbols of authority. Whether they have been used or not is probably secondary to what they represented. It's probably the equivalent of the ceremonial mace used in some European parliament.

I've seen one arching panjang at Adni's a long while back. Cannot remember if that was Malay or Sumatran in origin though.

The greneng is unusual, but its difficult to tell if it's a legitimate style, or a special commission.

VVV · 21st August 2006, 02:29 PM

Thanks BluErf,

I am not 100% sure but I somehow remember to have read somewhere that the slightly arching blade was a Malay phenomena?
That's why I brought up Malaysia as a possibility of origin.

Michael

rahman · 21st August 2006, 03:19 PM

The shape of the sampir somehow tells me it is Minangkabau, as do the carved and tall Jawa Demam hilt. The pucuk rebong motif on the silverworks is quite distinctively Malay. But Malay pieces usually have tapak kuda, and especially with the tampuk manggis design.

The blade itself has a pinggang (waist), an almost imperceptible tapering just above the sor-soran. And most panjangs don't have any pamor.

Interesting fusion in all. I'd go for Negri Sembilan which has strong Minang influence.

VVV · 21st August 2006, 05:23 PM

Thanks Rahman,

That's an interesting conclusion.
Does anyone have a link to Keris from Negri Sembilan?
Do they usually resemble Minangkabau Keris?

Michael

BluErf · 22nd August 2006, 03:29 PM

Negri Sembilan is part of Malaysia, but it is distinctively populated by Minang Kabau people. They migrated across the Melaka straits, from Sumatra to Malaysia.

VVV · 22nd August 2006, 03:34 PM

Thanks BluErf,

But have they developed new kind of Keris after the migration or have they kept the "Minangkabau look" to their Keris?

Michael

21st August 2006, 03:19 PM	#4
rahman Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 84	It smells Minang - or Negri Semibilan The shape of the sampir somehow tells me it is Minangkabau, as do the carved and tall Jawa Demam hilt. The pucuk rebong motif on the silverworks is quite distinctively Malay. But Malay pieces usually have tapak kuda, and especially with the tampuk manggis design. The blade itself has a pinggang (waist), an almost imperceptible tapering just above the sor-soran. And most panjangs don't have any pamor. Interesting fusion in all. I'd go for Negri Sembilan which has strong Minang influence.

16th August 2006, 06:57 AM	#1
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Thanks for your feedback, I agree with BluErf and I haven't either seen any old picture of a Panjang with a Jawa Demam hilt. But I have seen them on Bahari and Anak Alang. Actually this one, and my other Panjang with a Jawa Demam, http://www.kampungnet.com.sg/modules...view_album.php are the only ones I have ever seen. But I doubt in these two cases that the dealers, or former collectors, has changed the hilts on those later. This Panjang f.i. comes from the C de Wel collection, who according to my opinion has the best Keris published in the Tammens' trilogy. I get the feeling that this Keris was more made as a status symbol than actually for use in executions? And probably for someone with his own taste judging by the Greneng? But that's just my speculations... I also agree with BluErf's conclusions that the Tapak Kuda is a much more practical hilt for a Keris Penyalang than the Jawa Demam. Have you noticed that the profile of the blade is slightly arching? Michael

20th August 2006, 10:25 AM	#2
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Yes, panjangs are symbols of authority. Whether they have been used or not is probably secondary to what they represented. It's probably the equivalent of the ceremonial mace used in some European parliament. I've seen one arching panjang at Adni's a long while back. Cannot remember if that was Malay or Sumatran in origin though. The greneng is unusual, but its difficult to tell if it's a legitimate style, or a special commission.

21st August 2006, 02:29 PM	#3
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Thanks BluErf, I am not 100% sure but I somehow remember to have read somewhere that the slightly arching blade was a Malay phenomena? That's why I brought up Malaysia as a possibility of origin. Michael

21st August 2006, 05:23 PM	#5
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Thanks Rahman, That's an interesting conclusion. Does anyone have a link to Keris from Negri Sembilan? Do they usually resemble Minangkabau Keris? Michael

22nd August 2006, 03:29 PM	#6
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Negri Sembilan is part of Malaysia, but it is distinctively populated by Minang Kabau people. They migrated across the Melaka straits, from Sumatra to Malaysia.

22nd August 2006, 03:34 PM	#7
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Thanks BluErf, But have they developed new kind of Keris after the migration or have they kept the "Minangkabau look" to their Keris? Michael