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#1 |
Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Singapore
Posts: 320
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I purchased this large keris from Artzi, not yet arrived. The gerantiman hilt with grip checkering and long 52cm heavy blade seems to be intended for saber grip providing some slashing capacity despite the blumbangan. As with my other Balinese keris, the hollow edge stops short of the tip, leaving it thicker. I've seen it suggested that is reinforcement for piercing, though I am skeptical. It appears pamorless which I understand would be unusual in a Balinese keris. I'm not sure about Lombok. The sale page indicates early 20C but I wonder if it might be a bit older. What dhapur is it? Any comments and observations would be very welcome. Photos are from the seller.
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#2 |
Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Kaboejoetan Galoenggoeng Mélben
Posts: 458
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Hullo JeffS!
![]() To me, it's a Manjeuseup Leres (sunbird, straight blade), following a pakem that goes back to at least 15thC. This may be of interest: - if the blade length >42cm., it's a sandang walikat (worn over the shoulderblade) - if the diameter of the tang base >0.72cm., it's a tjorok (doubles as emergency sword) Best, Last edited by Amuk Murugul; 21st April 2023 at 11:35 PM. Reason: added info |
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#3 |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,232
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A beautiful, well made blade. As Amuk pointed out, it follows an archaic form.
You had luck noticing (or being noticed about it) early, that was a good catch. |
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#4 | |
Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Singapore
Posts: 320
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#5 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,284
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Interesting little depression on the handle; for the thumb perhaps?
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/attach...1&d=1681983470 |
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#6 |
Keris forum moderator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 7,085
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Hi Jeff. Nice Bali keris. I like it! Could it be Lombok? Sure. But with a keris like this i am not sure if we can ever really be sure and i think it could just as likely be Bali as well. Lombok was under Balinese control for some time and i believe it is often difficult to tell if a keris blade was actually made in one place or another. Sometimes dress might be a clue, but then it is only a clue as to where the blade ended up, not necessarily where it originated. I don't see anything that dictates this sheath is specifically Lombok rather than Balinese. This is a variation of cenangan hilt that has these finger grooves in them and i believe i have seen examples similar to this that have been identified as Lombok.
While i am not aware of the name that Amuk Murugal has given for this dhapur anything is possible. As you probably know, names can be very localized things and vary from place to place. Pakem is a Javanese word and i am not aware of there being a Balinese Pakem for the dhapur of Balinese blades from the specific kingdoms. Are there written pakem from Bali. If there are perhaps Amuk can point us to where they can be found. I have no idea what Amuk means by the following:if the blade length >42cm., it's a sandang walikat (worn over the shoulderblade) since "sandang walikat" is a form of sheath (not the kind yours is) and has nothing to do with the length or type of blade. I am likewise confused by his use of the word " tjorok" and what he means by an "emergency sword". In searches i have seen to word attached to a few of keris for sale online, but they have all been Javanese keris so i don't know if this is a Javanese word or not or what the diameter of the pesi has to do with this designation. Perhaps Amuk can enlighten us. I do have another Bali keris that is pamorless like yours (Rick, you may recognize this old friend ![]() I could be wrong, but i suspect that pamorless blades like this may well have been produced more specifically as a fighting blade rather than for status. Please forgive the low quality quick cellphone photos. |
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#7 | |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,249
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Having said this, I'd estimate the fittings to be from the 20th century; the crosspiece might be a tad older than the rest. Regards, Kai |
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