Ethnographic Arms & Armour
 

Go Back   Ethnographic Arms & Armour > Discussion Forums > Keris Warung Kopi
FAQ Calendar Today's Posts Search

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 18th May 2006, 02:49 AM   #1
Lei Shen Dao
Member
 
Lei Shen Dao's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 43
Default Javanese Keris Raja Guntala (Merged With Zack's Bugis Gundala Post)

Dear members

I would like to know your opinion about this Javanese Keris that I have in my possesion the last year.

I was told that it is pamor Raja Guntala and the name of it is Belanak Makan Makani / "the Belanak (fish) eating his food".
You can see quite clearly the head of a fish at the base. Along the length of the blade is a larger fish chasing a smaller one. At the base, above the fish head, is the form of a man swimming.

It is very old (at least I was told) but it would be interesting to know the possible era, dapur etc.

Thanks guys
Attached Images
      

Last edited by Rick; 11th August 2006 at 02:47 AM. Reason: MERGING POSTS
Lei Shen Dao is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18th May 2006, 03:04 AM   #2
Rick
Vikingsword Staff
 
Rick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,293
Smile No Offense

Lei ,
But I just don't see what you are describing in the pamor .
I do see a form that reminds me of a Pepperidge Farm Goldfish cracker ; but I see no fish head nor any man swimming .

I guess that sometimes looking at pamor and interpreting it is like watching clouds .
Then again that is just me ; your and others' mileage may vary .

Again , I speak only for myself and certainly as no 'expert' .

Rick
Rick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18th May 2006, 03:47 AM   #3
Lei Shen Dao
Member
 
Lei Shen Dao's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 43
Default

Hi Rick

You are by far a lot more "expert" than me at least.

Yes, I can understand your point and of course this is the case many times with the "pamor reading ".

But, if you see in the first picture you will see the image of a fish chasing a smaller one to eat it. The name of the fish is Belanak (a wild fish in Indonesia I was told...).
In the second picture in the base is a form that remindes the head of a fish (like an epinephelous) with it's mouth slightly open. Above the head of the fish and in the left side, is seems that there is the form of a man (head, two legs) if you see it from a diagonal view. If you see the blade form close distance, it is more obvious.

The interesting thing is that the name of the pamor from the seller was Belanak Makan Makani (named after the form of the Belanak), something that I have never encounder before.

In any case though, you are correct. Fantasy can play many games to a wissfull mind

Thanks for your post.
Lei Shen Dao is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18th May 2006, 03:48 AM   #4
Lei Shen Dao
Member
 
Lei Shen Dao's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 43
Default

By the way, what is "Pepperidge Farm Goldfish cracker"
Lei Shen Dao is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20th May 2006, 02:21 AM   #5
Lei Shen Dao
Member
 
Lei Shen Dao's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 43
Default

Guys
Thank you very much for trying to help me.

You are very helpfull
Lei Shen Dao is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10th August 2006, 05:11 AM   #6
Ian
Vikingsword Staff
 
Ian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The Aussie Bush
Posts: 4,198
Default Transferring to new Keris Forum

This active thread belongs with the new keris forum, so over it goes.

Ian.
Ian is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10th August 2006, 05:38 AM   #7
David
Keris forum moderator
 
David's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 7,123
Default

Thanks Ian and welcome Zack.
Well, i think the thing about Pamor Raja Gundala is that it is somewhat up to YOUR imagination, unless it is something undisputably obvious. This looks like a standing figure to me and the head looks somewhat skull-like. What do you see?
David is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20th May 2006, 02:57 AM   #8
Pangeran Datu
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 79
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lei Shen Dao
By the way, what is "Pepperidge Farm Goldfish cracker"
An American icon, the GOLDFISH cracker. Pepperidge Farm has produced its small goldfish-shaped cheddar cheese cracker since 1962.

WRT your keris:
Yes, I can see that you can call it a Raja Gundala - Ikan Belanak Makan Makane.
A Raja Gundala usually occurs as a dwiwarna, the other being e.g. Beas Utah, Pulo Tirta.
Try to see whether the Raja Gundala is Tiban or carved/etched, the former being more prized by connoiseurs for its divine qualities.

Regards.
Pangeran Datu is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21st May 2006, 02:23 AM   #9
Lei Shen Dao
Member
 
Lei Shen Dao's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 43
Default

Dear Pangeran

Thank you very much for your contribution.
It is pamor Tiban from what I know, but I don't have a clue about the dapur and the tanguh. I know it isn't easy to say from some pictures.

Anyway, thank you for your help.
Lei Shen Dao is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21st May 2006, 07:05 AM   #10
BluErf
Member
 
BluErf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Singapore
Posts: 1,180
Default

Oh, that's a real good likeness!! I've always enjoyed looking for rojo gondolo on kerises with pamor tiban.

I've got a few:

Sleeping bear:
http://www.kampungnet.com.sg/modules...view_photo.php

Moustachioed man with gaping mouth:
http://www.kampungnet.com.sg/modules...view_photo.php

Screaming face reminiscent of the mask from "I know what you did last summer", I think:
http://www.kampungnet.com.sg/modules...view_photo.php

And I have a "fetus" rojo gondolo in a "womb" (actually, a qul buntet):
Attached Images
 
BluErf is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 08:25 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Posts are regarded as being copyrighted by their authors and the act of posting material is deemed to be a granting of an irrevocable nonexclusive license for display here.