Keris Madura with Thai influences

[maxbliss888]

I am new to Keris and this hobby is very interesting and addictive as there are so much to learn.

I have come across an interesting Keris in Thailand with a Madura hilt/ Hulu but style Thai for the blade and the shield.

Any comment?

[kai]

Hello Max,

Welcome to the forum!

I have come across an interesting Keris in Thailand with a Madura hilt/ Hulu but style Thai for the blade and the shield.

Close-ups of the blade would be good. From this pic I'd guess this blade to hail from Madura, too.


Just one more comment: While collected in Thailand, there doesn't seem to have ever been any kind of keris culture among the ethnic Thai. Granted, quite a few keris are on display in the Bangkok palaces and occasionally one might have been worn at court but apparently more as a curio item (most were likely diplomatic gifts or war booties).

Thus, I'd avoid to refer to a keris as being "Thai" (as in "style Thai" or "Thai influences"). If anything, these keris are (northern) Malay, ethnically. Keris from southern Thailand seems like a reasonable/neutral description; however, Pattani/etc. would be much more informative IMVHO. We all know that modern state boundaries usually are a result of accumulated historic "accidents" - OTOH we're discussing cultural artefacts here and, thus, focusing on the originating culture does help. Sorry for the rant...

Regards,
Kai

[maxbliss888]

Hi!

Thanks for the clarification.

When I compare the scabbord with those of Indonesia, it looked different, which is why I see that perhaps this Keris has the Madura hilt but Southern Thai styled scabbord?

Regards,

[maxbliss888]

Photo

[kai]

Hello Max,

When I compare the scabbord with those of Indonesia, it looked different

What exactly did you compare it with?

To me this looks like a fairly typical example of a scabbard with crescent crosspiece. Quite commonly seen throughout Sumatra, the Straits area, and the Malay peninsula.

Since wood doesn't last terribly long in a tropical climate, this may have been a local replacement (looks old and good quality wood); or it may have been an attempt to acculturate an imported keris to local tastes.

Regards,
Kai

[maxbliss888]

Thanks!

I am thinking of getting this and just wanted to make sure that the Keris with the Madura hilt fits with the Cerita blade are all correct..

[Gustav]

Of course there are a lot of older Keris with parts from different locations, and even more newer "marriages".

If you go for the blade (which is a peninsular one) - even if its fit with the sheath is ok, it is quite worn, Greneng completely disappeared, Wadidang disturbed. You surely would come across a better Cherita blade someday.