Pak Alan, perhaps this additional information would be useful.
According to pak Kuntadi in his thesis: "Existence and development of Javanese Keris through a cultural perspective." Program Studi Kriya, Fakultas Senirupa dan design, Institute Seni Indonesia, Surakarta 2019.
Keris Banyumasan (Eastern region Central Java) as well Central Java in general, usually using "ring" (mendak) for their Kerises. You are right, "planar hilt" (selut) is additional esthetics and social status. In his argument, that s ring (mendak) is a must for 3 in 1, either for keris and his dress (dandanan).
Because representation of philosophy of keris itself.
Additionally, Keris must consist of 3 parts: Wilah, Gonjo and Pesi. These rules are also applied to them dressings. It must consist of 3 parts as well. Such as Warongko (scabbard), Mendak (ring), and Deder (hilt). If one would add planar (selut), it is still considered as "ring section".
There is an adagium within Tosan Aji (keris/dhuwung/tombak) that says:
"Curiga manjing warongko jumbuhing kawulo lan Gusti" in soft transtlation we can say "Keris inserted to it's scabbard, is sybolizing harmony between mortal to his Supreme Being." So, I think I agree to what pak Kuntadi said. In conclusion: that ring is a must between Keris and Deder (hilt), if one would go to perfection that is.
Unfortunately, them pictures were one sided, only turned same side but upside down. I wonder if we were fortunate enough to have another side to make further assament to be discussed further, as to make comparison.
I agree, upon inspection, the tikel alis is leaning toward Middle Mataram, the difference perhaps berm-gap between Blumbangan/Pejetan to bottom of Tikel-alis clearly looked as if it was pinched.
By contrast early Madura was leaning toward Hindu Majapahit/Singhasari. In which the tikel alis should be like "J" as in fishing Hook, with bottom end of hook crashing toward edge of gandik.
(pardon: As newbie so I think I need to wait a tad more to be able to upload pictures). Pray thou wilt illuminate tis simpleton sire
