Keris Palembang?

Green · 19th January 2016, 11:45 AM

I have these two keris with the hilt and blade that look of the same type.
The blades of both are significantly thinner compared to other keris types like saras or any types with pamor and they feel light and rather delicate.

Can anyone tell me what type of blade is this? Someone mentioned it as Palembang (sumatera) but others place it as Javanese blade.

I was told that the hilt is Sumateran of Jawa demam style and most likely from marine ivory (instead of elephant) .

The wrangka are different for both keris, one being Javanese Ladrang style and the other Bugis (rather than Malay style which has similar shape of cross piece but more massive and without the pendok). so looks like at least one is a mix and match. I'm wondering which one is more genuine to the blade.

Thanks in advance for your comments and explanation.

David · 19th January 2016, 05:22 PM

The hilts look like Gayo hilts which is Sumatra, but not Palembang. The blades do look Javanese, but it's hard to tell from your photographs. There are many forms of Sumatran blades that more or less follow Javanese pakem.More detailed images would help. IMO both of these keris are mismatched so it's hard to say which is more genuine to the blade. If in fact the blades are Javanese then perhaps the one with the Javanese sheath, but the hilt would still be incorrect.

Would love to see more detailed photos, especially of the hilts which look quite nice.

Green · 20th January 2016, 05:03 AM

David;

Here are more pics of the hilt of the one with the bugis style warangka. The other hilt is virtually the same.

Also attached are pics of this keris compared to a new pandai saras style keris to give an idea of thickness of the blade (v thin cf saras).

David · 20th January 2016, 05:09 AM

What is length of this blade? I still think this blade looks Javanese to me. I like it. I would also agree that this might be marine ivory. Has that look to me.

Green · 20th January 2016, 08:35 AM

David

This one is 12 inch and full length inc hilt 15 inch.
The one with ladrang scabbard is 13.5 inch and full length 17 inch and somewhat thicker and heavier.

Below are the two blades side by side.

Jean · 20th January 2016, 10:23 AM

These Jawa demam hilts are Sumatrese but they do not look to be from Gayo origin to me, the one shown in post# 3 seems to be made from elephant ivory as identified from the longitudinal cracks especially.
The blades are very old and worn and they look javanese indeed.
So there is nothing from Palembang in these 2 mixed krisses?

Regards

19th January 2016, 11:45 AM	#1
Green Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Malaysia Posts: 312	Keris Palembang? I have these two keris with the hilt and blade that look of the same type. The blades of both are significantly thinner compared to other keris types like saras or any types with pamor and they feel light and rather delicate. Can anyone tell me what type of blade is this? Someone mentioned it as Palembang (sumatera) but others place it as Javanese blade. I was told that the hilt is Sumateran of Jawa demam style and most likely from marine ivory (instead of elephant) . The wrangka are different for both keris, one being Javanese Ladrang style and the other Bugis (rather than Malay style which has similar shape of cross piece but more massive and without the pendok). so looks like at least one is a mix and match. I'm wondering which one is more genuine to the blade. Thanks in advance for your comments and explanation. Attached Images

20th January 2016, 05:03 AM	#3
Green Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Malaysia Posts: 312	David; Here are more pics of the hilt of the one with the bugis style warangka. The other hilt is virtually the same. Also attached are pics of this keris compared to a new pandai saras style keris to give an idea of thickness of the blade (v thin cf saras). Attached Images

20th January 2016, 08:35 AM	#5
Green Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Malaysia Posts: 312	David This one is 12 inch and full length inc hilt 15 inch. The one with ladrang scabbard is 13.5 inch and full length 17 inch and somewhat thicker and heavier. Below are the two blades side by side. Attached Images

19th January 2016, 05:22 PM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,125	The hilts look like Gayo hilts which is Sumatra, but not Palembang. The blades do look Javanese, but it's hard to tell from your photographs. There are many forms of Sumatran blades that more or less follow Javanese pakem.More detailed images would help. IMO both of these keris are mismatched so it's hard to say which is more genuine to the blade. If in fact the blades are Javanese then perhaps the one with the Javanese sheath, but the hilt would still be incorrect. Would love to see more detailed photos, especially of the hilts which look quite nice.

20th January 2016, 05:09 AM	#4
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,125	What is length of this blade? I still think this blade looks Javanese to me. I like it. I would also agree that this might be marine ivory. Has that look to me.

20th January 2016, 10:23 AM	#6
Jean Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,740	These Jawa demam hilts are Sumatrese but they do not look to be from Gayo origin to me, the one shown in post# 3 seems to be made from elephant ivory as identified from the longitudinal cracks especially. The blades are very old and worn and they look javanese indeed. So there is nothing from Palembang in these 2 mixed krisses? Regards