Banjarmasin keris?

[Sajen]

Hello,

I get offered this keris and want to ask you if you agree that this keris is maybe a Banjarmasin keris. I am allowed to show the pictures here. Handle is maritime ivory and very well patinated.

[Moshah]

Very nice hilt, Detlef, albeit the carving was rather crude!

Can't comment on the keris as I know next to nothing about Banjarmasin kerises...

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Moshah

Very nice hilt, Detlef, albeit the carving was rather crude!

Can't comment on the keris as I know next to nothing about Banjarmasin kerises...

Hello Moshah,

nice to have you back here! Thank you for comment. Yes, the carving is crude and not very deep. I don't know if there are members who have a deep knowledge abaut Banjar kerises. Many will have seen pictures from kerises described as Banjarmasin but I doubt there is someone with a really deep knowledge.

Regards,

Detlef

[Jean]

I just won this piece on Ebay (sorry for the poor pictures) which at least has a genuine hilt & typical gayaman sheath from Banjar
Regards

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Jean

I just won this piece on Ebay (sorry for the poor pictures) which at least has a genuine hilt & typical gayaman sheath from Banjar
Regards

Hello Jean,

very nice keris, can you post bigger pictures from the blade? My first impression is that the blade have a strong Palembang touch.

Regards,

Detlef

[kai]

Congrats, Jean!

I believe your piece does deserve a seperate thread with larger pics once you receive it.

Regards,
Kai

[kai]

Hello Detlef,

In the keris you inquire about I don't see any feature that IMVHO clearly points to a Banjar origin; the hilt doesn't look like Solo, Yogya, nor Madura craftmanship to me either. Banjar carving work tends to be very neat, especially floral or geometric design elements found with (non-figural) wooden hilts. I agree that this hilt seems to be old and exhibits some genuine wear; it's certainly desirable and warrants further research. I'd hesitate to associate it with the buzzing economical hub and international melting pot of the Banjar/Negara area and would tend to look for more of a backwater in those days as a possible origin.

This seems to be a kinda odd ensemble: How well does the blade fit into the scabbard? Any close-ups of the base of the blade as well as of the mendak? I hope our members specializing in Java/Madura will also chime in...

Regards,
Kai

[Jean]

Hello Detlef and Kai,
Thank you and OK, I will post better pictures when I receive it and I will probably need to slightly refurbish the gandar (fully covered with coiled & glued thread). I agree that the origin of the blade is not clear and it is not a fantastic piece but it has age and fits well into the sheath slot. According to the seller this kris was purchased in Indonesia about 40 years ago.
Best regards

[Marcokeris]

I dont' know about the blade but i think the hilt is not from kalimantan. It seems made for dress a selut (jogja or solo). I never seen ( of course in my personal experience) a banjarmasin hilt with a javanise selut. Imo maybe this hilt hade a lost selut that married well the mendak of the pic

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by kai

Hello Detlef,

In the keris you inquire about I don't see any feature that IMVHO clearly points to a Banjar origin; the hilt doesn't look like Solo, Yogya, nor Madura craftmanship to me either. Banjar carving work tends to be very neat, especially floral or geometric design elements found with (non-figural) wooden hilts. I agree that this hilt seems to be old and exhibits some genuine wear; it's certainly desirable and warrants further research. I'd hesitate to associate it with the buzzing economical hub and international melting pot of the Banjar/Negara area and would tend to look for more of a backwater in those days as a possible origin.

This seems to be a kinda odd ensemble: How well does the blade fit into the scabbard? Any close-ups of the base of the blade as well as of the mendak? I hope our members specializing in Java/Madura will also chime in...

Regards,
Kai

Hello Kai,

this was the reason why I post it. But it seems that the blade, scabbard and hilt belong together but wouldn't be surprised when the mendak is a later addition. This keris is a real puzzle for me.

Here some additional pictures.

Best regards,

Detlef