Fledgling keris collector first purchases

[Alam Shah]

Originally Posted by Mefidk

I have found these really fascinating and I can already feel that I'm hooked on keris as well as the larger weapons from that region - no hope for salvation I'm afraid.

Chris

Hi Chris,

I sorry to hear that you're got this infection. Welcome to the club.
Congratulations on owning these pieces. A good start, unique pieces in their own way.

The first is a nice Bugis piece. The hilt is marine ivory. Probably not from Sulawesi but from other bugis-influenced regions such as Sumatra or Sumbawa, based on a few indicators. The second blade seems to be a crude Pattani naga form, Malay Peninsular.. can we have close-up pics of the gandik area of the blade (where the serpent's head is), and close-up of the hilt, from various angles, the front and side. Nice Coteng or Tajong form. The third is a ganja iras blade form with pamor adeg. Hilt is probably made from bone, based on the porous inner carved area. The hilt does not sit well, probably due to a missing mendak.

[Mefidk]

Thank you very much for the information. I'm glad the swords were not swapped for junk

The kingfisher hilt was the reason I bought the second piece. I was told later by another collector that the fellow I bought it from once had a large collection of these but after retirement he has sold them all and I got the last one. No sheath I'm afraid. I've attached a few more pictures of this one.

The third piece I was told was from Bali and about 300 years old (the bone hilt certainly gives the impression of some serious age). As far as I can find out the figure is a representation of agressive Shiva Bhairava sitting in Rajalilisana position.
Is it possible to determine whether the hilt and blade have the same origins, and if so figure out what type of sheath and mendak I would need to find to complete the piece? I can see some new ones for sale on the web so I guess they can also make replacement parts.

[Alam Shah]

Originally Posted by Mefidk

The kingfisher hilt was the reason I bought the second piece.

I thought so, too. It's a Tajong form, more info (( here )). The blade tang seems to have been shortened. The naga form is Pattanese, crude and is probably not too old.

[Henk]

The third piece is not Bali. The hilt is from North Java, Cirebon imho. The blade is gonjo iras indeed.

[Alam Shah]

Hi Chris,

Can we have a few pics of the 3rd hilt, from the front and from the other side.. and a full pic of the blade, please.

[Sajen]

Hello Chris,

in my first look I haven't seen the very nice and old Tajong hilt because I don't skroll the picture to the right.

sajen

[Mefidk]

Hi Alam Shah

here are a few more pictures of the third piece for you.

Thanks for the Tajong link. Looking at this suggests that mine is quite old, which I had not expected

Chris