Bugis Keris

scarroy · 12th March 2005, 01:28 PM

Hi
What do you think about this keris, I'm from France, so my bad english.
There are some old dutch coins on the scabbard.
Peut etre que quelqu'un parle ou comprend le français.
Thank you, Merci beaucoup.

BluErf · 12th March 2005, 02:42 PM

This is a Bugis keris from Sulawesi. The characteristic 'awkward' flat sampir (top sheath), the tall hilt cup, and the distinctively downward-curving pistol grip handle. Funny, we have been looking at quite a few Sulawesi kerises on this forum recently.

This is the 1st time that I see coins mounted on a keris sheath like this. A shame though... the wood seemed to be of good grain and the mounting is more of an eyesore than enhancement to the piece, but if the coins were an old addition, I suppose they should be left on the wood as part of its history.

scarroy · 12th March 2005, 03:04 PM

Hi BluErf,
thank for the answer, the coins are dated from 1940-45, some people said that
I must take off the coins, what do you think.
Do you have more informations about this Keris?

Best regards Sidney

Henk · 12th March 2005, 04:10 PM

Hello Scarroy,

I think BluErf is right. I've never seen a keris with coins on the scabbard either. The coins are real dutch money. I'm not very good with old money, but I see a quarter of the dutch guilder that was, as far as I know only used in Indonesia, the former Dutch Indies. I wouldn't remove them. The coins have as far as I know hardly collectors value and when you remove them you have some nasty holes in the scabbard. The coins on the scabbard are very unusual, but it is a very nice keris.

DAHenkel · 12th March 2005, 04:57 PM

Do not remove the coins. You will not improve the look of the keris by doing so and as others have noted, the coins are rare and unusual.

Leave it be.

12th March 2005, 01:28 PM	#1
scarroy Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Paris Posts: 5	Bugis Keris Hi What do you think about this keris, I'm from France, so my bad english. There are some old dutch coins on the scabbard. Peut etre que quelqu'un parle ou comprend le français. Thank you, Merci beaucoup. Attached Images

12th March 2005, 02:42 PM	#2
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	This is a Bugis keris from Sulawesi. The characteristic 'awkward' flat sampir (top sheath), the tall hilt cup, and the distinctively downward-curving pistol grip handle. Funny, we have been looking at quite a few Sulawesi kerises on this forum recently. This is the 1st time that I see coins mounted on a keris sheath like this. A shame though... the wood seemed to be of good grain and the mounting is more of an eyesore than enhancement to the piece, but if the coins were an old addition, I suppose they should be left on the wood as part of its history.

12th March 2005, 03:04 PM	#3
scarroy Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Paris Posts: 5	Hi BluErf, thank for the answer, the coins are dated from 1940-45, some people said that I must take off the coins, what do you think. Do you have more informations about this Keris? Best regards Sidney

12th March 2005, 04:10 PM	#4
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Hello Scarroy, I think BluErf is right. I've never seen a keris with coins on the scabbard either. The coins are real dutch money. I'm not very good with old money, but I see a quarter of the dutch guilder that was, as far as I know only used in Indonesia, the former Dutch Indies. I wouldn't remove them. The coins have as far as I know hardly collectors value and when you remove them you have some nasty holes in the scabbard. The coins on the scabbard are very unusual, but it is a very nice keris.

12th March 2005, 04:57 PM	#5
DAHenkel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 125	Do not remove the coins. You will not improve the look of the keris by doing so and as others have noted, the coins are rare and unusual. Leave it be.