Seeking advice on Balinese keris hulu

Anthony G. · 7th June 2018, 05:50 AM

Hi friends

Can you advise me about the circled part on the hulu. Is there any meaning to it?

And in addition, what is your review about this keris in term of age and quality of the blade and as a whole?

Thank you.

Jean · 7th June 2018, 12:54 PM

Hello Anthony,
This is a good, old (19th century?) and classical blade from Bali or more probably Lombok with an old gerantiman style hilt. The tail of the ganja has been apparently damaged/ cut. I will let others comment on the spiral motif on top of the hilt.
Regards

Paul B. · 7th June 2018, 03:43 PM

It is not the answer to your question but I have handled this Gerantim handle and I am 100% sure it is not old but good recent craftsmanship.

Anthony G. · 7th June 2018, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul B.

It is not the answer to your question but I have handled this Gerantim handle and I am 100% sure it is not old but good recent craftsmanship.

Hi Paul and rest, thanks for the advice.

Aside to Paul, could you confirm with me on one thing. Good recent craftsmanship means the hilt only and not the blade. right?

Rick · 7th June 2018, 06:06 PM

IIRC, and often I don't.

This is a representation of a sprout or tendril vegetable in nature.

David · 7th June 2018, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

IIRC, and often I don't.

This is a representation of a sprout or tendril vegetable in nature.

That's my understanding as well.

Gustav · 7th June 2018, 06:38 PM

Here a thread where two makers of this specific hilt form, father and son, are mentioned. This one could be the work of father.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...light=gerantim

Regarding the feature on top of the hilt, Jasper and Mas Pirngadie calls it Liking Pakoe (Paku) and describes it as a "monsterlike" figurine of an animal with tail rolled up. At that time (before 1930) they already couldn't find out the meaning of it and wrote - pepajasan, just an adornment, without symbol value. Jensen compares it with a figure called quadruped of Indra from Majapahit period.

On newer Gerantim (like this one) this feature is even more simplified, so perhaps the meaning is completely lost.

The blade... just like a Karangasem royal Keris stripped of its Kinatah

David · 7th June 2018, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthony G.

Good recent craftsmanship means the hilt only and not the blade. right?

I believe it does Anthony. This appears to be a decent Bali blade from the late 19th C, though as Jean has pointed it, it does have some damage issues, not just to the tail of the gonjo, but also along the edges, especially just above the gandik.
I cannot speak to the age of the hilt and have not had the benefit to handle the piece like Paul has, but would it matter to you if this hilt were not antique? It is traditionally made, nicely crafted and appears to be made of precious metal. Dress is routinely updated within keris-bearing societies. I don't believe age would add much value to this hilt IMHO.

Jean · 7th June 2018, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

I cannot speak to the age of the hilt and have not had the benefit to handle the piece like Paul has, but would it matter to you if this hilt were not antique? It is traditionally made, nicely crafted and appears to be made of precious metal. Dress is routinely updated within keris-bearing societies. I don't believe age would add much value to this hilt IMHO.

The hilt may be recent indeed although the top part is dented (fragile silver sheet?) and the selut is partly damaged and does not look recent (replaced?). What matters is that the core with finely woven silver strips looks in excellent condition.
Regards

Anthony G. · 8th June 2018, 03:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

I believe it does Anthony. This appears to be a decent Bali blade from the late 19th C, though as Jean has pointed it, it does have some damage issues, not just to the tail of the gonjo, but also along the edges, especially just above the gandik.
I cannot speak to the age of the hilt and have not had the benefit to handle the piece like Paul has, but would it matter to you if this hilt were not antique? It is traditionally made, nicely crafted and appears to be made of precious metal. Dress is routinely updated within keris-bearing societies. I don't believe age would add much value to this hilt IMHO.

Hi David

Greeting.

I just need to know what I am collecting especially it is an important learning stage for me as a newbie, it does not matter if the hilt is antique as long it is a properly made according to the tradition.

Anthony G. · 8th June 2018, 08:25 AM

Dear all

I just went to the custom today and can only collect back the hilt. It seems that the hilt is in good condition compare to the dealer photos which is misleading. Please see my photo. It is thin sheet of silver covering the internal (wood). No dent whatsoever. Any idea what is the price for this hilt in the market? Just asking.

As for the blade, it requires additional level of police clearance due to the length. I have seen it thou.

-The gonjo 'modification' is quite well done and smooth but not sure why it was modified. Could it be that it was damaged before and repaired?

I will post more photo of the blade if the authority return back to me. Finger cross :P

7th June 2018, 05:50 AM	#1
Anthony G. Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 463	Seeking advice on Balinese keris hulu Hi friends Can you advise me about the circled part on the hulu. Is there any meaning to it? And in addition, what is your review about this keris in term of age and quality of the blade and as a whole? Thank you. Attached Images

8th June 2018, 08:25 AM	#11
Anthony G. Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 463	Dear all I just went to the custom today and can only collect back the hilt. It seems that the hilt is in good condition compare to the dealer photos which is misleading. Please see my photo. It is thin sheet of silver covering the internal (wood). No dent whatsoever. Any idea what is the price for this hilt in the market? Just asking. As for the blade, it requires additional level of police clearance due to the length. I have seen it thou. -The gonjo 'modification' is quite well done and smooth but not sure why it was modified. Could it be that it was damaged before and repaired? I will post more photo of the blade if the authority return back to me. Finger cross :P Attached Images

7th June 2018, 12:54 PM	#2
Jean Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,740	Hello Anthony, This is a good, old (19th century?) and classical blade from Bali or more probably Lombok with an old gerantiman style hilt. The tail of the ganja has been apparently damaged/ cut. I will let others comment on the spiral motif on top of the hilt. Regards

7th June 2018, 03:43 PM	#3
Paul B. Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 205	It is not the answer to your question but I have handled this Gerantim handle and I am 100% sure it is not old but good recent craftsmanship.

7th June 2018, 06:06 PM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	IIRC, and often I don't. This is a representation of a sprout or tendril vegetable in nature.

7th June 2018, 06:38 PM	#7
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,249	Here a thread where two makers of this specific hilt form, father and son, are mentioned. This one could be the work of father. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...light=gerantim Regarding the feature on top of the hilt, Jasper and Mas Pirngadie calls it Liking Pakoe (Paku) and describes it as a "monsterlike" figurine of an animal with tail rolled up. At that time (before 1930) they already couldn't find out the meaning of it and wrote - pepajasan, just an adornment, without symbol value. Jensen compares it with a figure called quadruped of Indra from Majapahit period. On newer Gerantim (like this one) this feature is even more simplified, so perhaps the meaning is completely lost. The blade... just like a Karangasem royal Keris stripped of its Kinatah