Simple Balinese Keris

JustYS · 13th August 2023, 10:03 AM

I would like to share my first Balinese Keris, nothing fancy but I quite like it.

I obtained it from a young Pande, made in 2020 according to him.

He told me that he would also send me some sort of certificate later, so I gave him the location where I stay in Bali and did not think much of it.

Three days later I’ve received this lontar, unfortunately I cannot read hanacaraka, I guess I have to ask him what was written here.

Cheers,

milandro · 13th August 2023, 01:36 PM

I certainly like it, and the fact that it is very new doesn't detract at all from its qualities. I like the pamor and the simplicity of its design.

I think you have done very well. Whatever the certificate says it is a sign of quality and distinction.

I like the hilt too, makes me think of the hilt I show here

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...651#post283651

Which I have found out it is Tualen

David · 13th August 2023, 04:31 PM

hmmm...while there are certainly far more elaborate Balinese keris i'm not sure my opening line would include "nothing fancy".
Firstly, an unusual 19 luk keris. It is believed that such keris that are outside the normal upper end luk count are generally considered suited for people outside the normal social strata such as artists or performers.
The kamardikan blade seems to be nicely sculpted and the 19 luks appear to be handled pretty well. Just because a keris doesn't have kembang kacang doesn't mean it is simplistic. And the gonjo (is it gonjo yuyu rumpung?) i would even say qualifies as "fancy'. And the dress is a recent version of the formal serengatan style sheath and a togogan (figural) hilt. While these don't appear to be the highest level of fine carving that can be found on such dress it seems fairly decent and as a formal form sort sort of negates the idea of "nothing fancy".
And then, of course, you have this lontar that the pande sent you as a "certificate". I can't read it either and if this were mine i would probably request a translation from the pande. But it does help make this somewhat of a "special" package.
All in all this seems to be an attractive kamardikan keris.

JustYS · 14th August 2023, 04:00 AM

Thank you Milandro, yes it can be Twalen. Image of real life Twalen:

Thank you David for your info, as I mentioned this is my first Balinese keris, somehow I always imagine Balinese keris with heavy silver pendok, ivory hilts, and some sort of kinatah. At least from what I saw in internet and museums, hence my used of word simple and not fancy.

Do you know if there is any equivalent to Pak HHG’s Keris Jawa for Keris Bali?
Maybe Keris Bali Bersejarah?

Cheers,

Rick · 14th August 2023, 04:16 AM

I think we'd need a better close-up picture of the handle to decide whether it is Twalen or not. If I recall correctly Twalen does not have fangs and I believe I see fangs on this hilt.

It is a very nice keris.

jagabuwana · 14th August 2023, 05:52 AM

I agree with David - nothing simple about it. I really like this keris and I'm quite partial to those robust gonjos. Thanks for sharing, JustYS.

13th August 2023, 10:03 AM	#1
JustYS Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Posts: 138	Simple Balinese Keris I would like to share my first Balinese Keris, nothing fancy but I quite like it. I obtained it from a young Pande, made in 2020 according to him. He told me that he would also send me some sort of certificate later, so I gave him the location where I stay in Bali and did not think much of it. Three days later I’ve received this lontar, unfortunately I cannot read hanacaraka, I guess I have to ask him what was written here. Cheers, Attached Images

14th August 2023, 04:00 AM	#4
JustYS Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Posts: 138	Thank you Milandro, yes it can be Twalen. Image of real life Twalen: Thank you David for your info, as I mentioned this is my first Balinese keris, somehow I always imagine Balinese keris with heavy silver pendok, ivory hilts, and some sort of kinatah. At least from what I saw in internet and museums, hence my used of word simple and not fancy. Do you know if there is any equivalent to Pak HHG’s Keris Jawa for Keris Bali? Maybe Keris Bali Bersejarah? Cheers, Attached Images

14th August 2023, 04:16 AM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	How About A close Up I think we'd need a better close-up picture of the handle to decide whether it is Twalen or not. If I recall correctly Twalen does not have fangs and I believe I see fangs on this hilt. It is a very nice keris.

13th August 2023, 01:36 PM	#2
milandro Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: Netherlands Posts: 475	I certainly like it, and the fact that it is very new doesn't detract at all from its qualities. I like the pamor and the simplicity of its design. I think you have done very well. Whatever the certificate says it is a sign of quality and distinction. I like the hilt too, makes me think of the hilt I show here http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...651#post283651 Which I have found out it is Tualen

13th August 2023, 04:31 PM	#3
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,123	hmmm...while there are certainly far more elaborate Balinese keris i'm not sure my opening line would include "nothing fancy". Firstly, an unusual 19 luk keris. It is believed that such keris that are outside the normal upper end luk count are generally considered suited for people outside the normal social strata such as artists or performers. The kamardikan blade seems to be nicely sculpted and the 19 luks appear to be handled pretty well. Just because a keris doesn't have kembang kacang doesn't mean it is simplistic. And the gonjo (is it gonjo yuyu rumpung?) i would even say qualifies as "fancy'. And the dress is a recent version of the formal serengatan style sheath and a togogan (figural) hilt. While these don't appear to be the highest level of fine carving that can be found on such dress it seems fairly decent and as a formal form sort sort of negates the idea of "nothing fancy". And then, of course, you have this lontar that the pande sent you as a "certificate". I can't read it either and if this were mine i would probably request a translation from the pande. But it does help make this somewhat of a "special" package. All in all this seems to be an attractive kamardikan keris.

14th August 2023, 05:52 AM	#6
jagabuwana Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 281	I agree with David - nothing simple about it. I really like this keris and I'm quite partial to those robust gonjos. Thanks for sharing, JustYS.