New Member, New Keris

shadejoy · 16th November 2013, 05:44 PM

Hello forum members,

This is Peter, I've just recently found an interest in Keris not too long ago, back in last September while visiting Bali and upon searching for local antiquities.

I have a couple of Kerises that I want to share with you: the Carito Keprabon Luk 11 of Pajang era (1568-1586 CE) and 1800s Singa Barong Luk 5 with Kanjeng Kyai Pamor (Prambanan Meteorite).

But for introduction, I will share you the Carita Keprabon in this thread while creating a new thread later on for Singa Barong

The Carito (or Carita) dapur models (there are several different kinds of keris Carito) is a typical dapur of the keraton of Yogyakarta. It was a very popular dapur in the early Mataram era, and the model has influenced the later dapur Sabuk Inten.

Both the Carito and Sabuk Inten kerises are similar in meaning, for they are mainly aimed at wealth increase and prosperity. I purchased this Keris (Carita Keprabon) from an abdi dalam (an ordained member, or royal servant) in the keraton (royal palace) of Yogyakarta through a seller.

To this day, Kerises are regularly cleansed in various rituals performed at the Keraton. Upon receiving the Keris, it did and still does have a mild flowery scent to it. It is possible to confirm that this Keris have been used for similar purposes, and thus is considered sacred pusaka (heirloom) item.

This keris has Pedaringan Kebak pamor. The meaning of this type of pamor (pedaringan kebak) is basically surplus of wealth. It can be roughly translated as 'a shed stuffed with rice'. This pamor is very similar to Wos Wutah, but Pedaringan Kebak is of a much higher quality and thus is more difficult to forge, for the motif is more refined than that of Wos Wutah.

Pedaringan Kebak is made using the 'mlumah' forging technique, which is more time consuming than the more commonly used 'miring' forging technique. For the rest it is classed as pamor tiban, which means that this pattern is not intentionally created by the empu, but merely is a 'by-product' of the extensive forging process.

The keris comes with a traditional hand-carved Timåhå wooden sheath, also known as warangka Branggah Yogyakarta.

I appreciate the comments and for authenticating my descriptions.

Thank you all.

David · 16th November 2013, 10:03 PM

Welcome to the forum Peter.
I will wait for others to comment on some of your details here. I will pass on a saying we use around here often though. Buy the keris, not the story.

I would not get too attached to the idea that this is somehow a keris connected to the keraton, for instance. The use of scented oil on keris is quite common and does not necessarily indicate such any such connection. Keris salesman in Indonesia will attach many different tales to their wares to boost their sales. What you do certainly have here is an authentically old keris. I sincerely doubt, however, that anyone can pinpoint the date of such an old keris to an 18 year period of time.
Better photos would be nice for better identification. It appears to me that your wrongko was once a ladrang style that has been greatly reshaped, probably due to damage to the original form.
I look forward to seeing your keris singo, but would not hold on to the hope that it has used pamor from the Prambanan meteorite. Such material was reserved for truly high level court pieces. If indeed you have one of those you are a lucky man.

Sajen · 16th November 2013, 10:43 PM

Welcome to the forum Peter!

Would like to see better pictures of your keris. But you are wrong in matters of the sheath. This sheath form is called tanggalan and attributed to the sultanate of Demak. And I also don't think that the sheath is a reshaped ladrang sheath like David assumed.

Regards,

Detlef

shadejoy · 16th November 2013, 11:31 PM

Interesting, aside from my obvious puny of a talent in photography, I'm afraid I'm also a terrible sucker at Javanese history. The philosophy in the Keris itself, how it's made and the intricate meanings of its shapes and pamors, etc that make me fall in love.

This pamor (Pedaringan Kebak) indeed has a subtle/soft tone to it. The Keris itself has thin blade and is also very light in my opinion.

Please point me where exactly do you want me to take a better close-ups at and I will give all my might to comply.

Sajen · 17th November 2013, 06:47 PM

Here my example with a tanggalan wrongko.

shadejoy · 17th November 2013, 07:02 PM

To tell you the truth, I care less about the sheath but not to say that the choice of warangka doesn't have any importance to the overall Keris itself.

I'm now even more curious, is there any significance meaning between different warangkas according to Keris custom?

16th November 2013, 05:44 PM	#1
shadejoy Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Massachusetts, US Posts: 67	New Member, New Keris Hello forum members, This is Peter, I've just recently found an interest in Keris not too long ago, back in last September while visiting Bali and upon searching for local antiquities. I have a couple of Kerises that I want to share with you: the Carito Keprabon Luk 11 of Pajang era (1568-1586 CE) and 1800s Singa Barong Luk 5 with Kanjeng Kyai Pamor (Prambanan Meteorite). But for introduction, I will share you the Carita Keprabon in this thread while creating a new thread later on for Singa Barong The Carito (or Carita) dapur models (there are several different kinds of keris Carito) is a typical dapur of the keraton of Yogyakarta. It was a very popular dapur in the early Mataram era, and the model has influenced the later dapur Sabuk Inten. Both the Carito and Sabuk Inten kerises are similar in meaning, for they are mainly aimed at wealth increase and prosperity. I purchased this Keris (Carita Keprabon) from an abdi dalam (an ordained member, or royal servant) in the keraton (royal palace) of Yogyakarta through a seller. To this day, Kerises are regularly cleansed in various rituals performed at the Keraton. Upon receiving the Keris, it did and still does have a mild flowery scent to it. It is possible to confirm that this Keris have been used for similar purposes, and thus is considered sacred pusaka (heirloom) item. This keris has Pedaringan Kebak pamor. The meaning of this type of pamor (pedaringan kebak) is basically surplus of wealth. It can be roughly translated as 'a shed stuffed with rice'. This pamor is very similar to Wos Wutah, but Pedaringan Kebak is of a much higher quality and thus is more difficult to forge, for the motif is more refined than that of Wos Wutah. Pedaringan Kebak is made using the 'mlumah' forging technique, which is more time consuming than the more commonly used 'miring' forging technique. For the rest it is classed as pamor tiban, which means that this pattern is not intentionally created by the empu, but merely is a 'by-product' of the extensive forging process. The keris comes with a traditional hand-carved Timåhå wooden sheath, also known as warangka Branggah Yogyakarta. I appreciate the comments and for authenticating my descriptions. Thank you all. Attached Images

16th November 2013, 11:31 PM	#4
shadejoy Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Massachusetts, US Posts: 67	Interesting, aside from my obvious puny of a talent in photography, I'm afraid I'm also a terrible sucker at Javanese history. The philosophy in the Keris itself, how it's made and the intricate meanings of its shapes and pamors, etc that make me fall in love. This pamor (Pedaringan Kebak) indeed has a subtle/soft tone to it. The Keris itself has thin blade and is also very light in my opinion. Please point me where exactly do you want me to take a better close-ups at and I will give all my might to comply. Attached Images

17th November 2013, 06:47 PM	#5
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,773	Here my example with a tanggalan wrongko. Attached Images

16th November 2013, 10:03 PM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,121	Welcome to the forum Peter. I will wait for others to comment on some of your details here. I will pass on a saying we use around here often though. Buy the keris, not the story. I would not get too attached to the idea that this is somehow a keris connected to the keraton, for instance. The use of scented oil on keris is quite common and does not necessarily indicate such any such connection. Keris salesman in Indonesia will attach many different tales to their wares to boost their sales. What you do certainly have here is an authentically old keris. I sincerely doubt, however, that anyone can pinpoint the date of such an old keris to an 18 year period of time. Better photos would be nice for better identification. It appears to me that your wrongko was once a ladrang style that has been greatly reshaped, probably due to damage to the original form. I look forward to seeing your keris singo, but would not hold on to the hope that it has used pamor from the Prambanan meteorite. Such material was reserved for truly high level court pieces. If indeed you have one of those you are a lucky man.

16th November 2013, 10:43 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,773	Welcome to the forum Peter! Would like to see better pictures of your keris. But you are wrong in matters of the sheath. This sheath form is called tanggalan and attributed to the sultanate of Demak. And I also don't think that the sheath is a reshaped ladrang sheath like David assumed. Regards, Detlef

17th November 2013, 07:02 PM	#6
shadejoy Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Massachusetts, US Posts: 67	To tell you the truth, I care less about the sheath but not to say that the choice of warangka doesn't have any importance to the overall Keris itself. I'm now even more curious, is there any significance meaning between different warangkas according to Keris custom?