Dress keris and badek from Terengganu

BluErf · 16th January 2007, 01:42 PM

I was very happy to acquire this matching pair, which I believe to be dated to the first half of the 20th century. They're really small - the keris is 13 inches overall, 9.3 inch blade; the badek is 8.6 inches overall, 5.5 inch blade. Small guys, but they cost me nearly an arm and a leg.

They're just perfect for wearing, which is what I would do for the coming Muharram.

David · 16th January 2007, 03:03 PM

Very nice Kai Wee. I have a keris with very similar dress (it doesn't have the black bands) which i always assumed was also early 20thC, so your dating helps support that, thanks.

Do you think these two were actually made as a pair or they just happen to match. The one difference i do notice right away is that the badek lacks the black bands (horn?ebony?) that are present at the top of the gandar on the keris. They look good together regardless.

Alam Shah · 16th January 2007, 03:05 PM

Congrats on these well-made pieces. Lovely elegant fittings. Goes well with any collection.

They do look perfect for wearing. Are you carrying the side arm, this Muharram?

BluErf · 16th January 2007, 04:04 PM

Hi David,

The seller had these 2 pieces on sale at the same time. Both were Terengganu, and from the same period. While I think they were not made at the exact same time, they were probably owned by the same person, who probably had worn them as a pair.

The black bands are horn. Apart from Terengganu, Sumatra also had keris sheaths of similar aesthetics. I have a keris panjang with such alternating black and white batang, and that keris was probably 19th century.

Hi Shahrial,

Yep, I'm going to be in black.

Makes the white stand out.

16th January 2007, 01:42 PM	#1
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Dress keris and badek from Terengganu I was very happy to acquire this matching pair, which I believe to be dated to the first half of the 20th century. They're really small - the keris is 13 inches overall, 9.3 inch blade; the badek is 8.6 inches overall, 5.5 inch blade. Small guys, but they cost me nearly an arm and a leg. They're just perfect for wearing, which is what I would do for the coming Muharram. Attached Images

16th January 2007, 03:03 PM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,124	Very nice Kai Wee. I have a keris with very similar dress (it doesn't have the black bands) which i always assumed was also early 20thC, so your dating helps support that, thanks. Do you think these two were actually made as a pair or they just happen to match. The one difference i do notice right away is that the badek lacks the black bands (horn?ebony?) that are present at the top of the gandar on the keris. They look good together regardless.

16th January 2007, 03:05 PM	#3
Alam Shah Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,248	Congrats on these well-made pieces. Lovely elegant fittings. Goes well with any collection. They do look perfect for wearing. Are you carrying the side arm, this Muharram?

16th January 2007, 04:04 PM	#4
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Hi David, The seller had these 2 pieces on sale at the same time. Both were Terengganu, and from the same period. While I think they were not made at the exact same time, they were probably owned by the same person, who probably had worn them as a pair. The black bands are horn. Apart from Terengganu, Sumatra also had keris sheaths of similar aesthetics. I have a keris panjang with such alternating black and white batang, and that keris was probably 19th century. Hi Shahrial, Yep, I'm going to be in black. Makes the white stand out.