Mystery and very interesting keris hilt

Sajen · 4th April 2011, 09:10 PM

Hello All,

I want to show you a IMHO very interesting keris hilt. This hilt have a lot of different styles in a very simple carving. You can see stylized the raksasa figure from Java but on the other hand the bugis kerdas form as well. The hilt have also a stylized tumpal crown. I am very very unsure from where this hilt may originate, it may be from Java, Sumatra don't would be a surprise and Bugis is possible as well. Sumbawa? I just don't know. Maybe someone have seen a similar hilt and know more.

Best regards,

Detlef

David · 5th April 2011, 12:32 AM

Frankly Detlef, i don't get the impression that this is all that old. The carved out areas look far to light and fresh for there to be any reasonable amount of age here. You see a lot of contemporary hilts on ePrey these days that are obviously modern designs that while sometimes based in tradition forms are really more of a free expression of the artist/carver. I'm not convinced that trying to nail this hilt down to a particular origin is likely to lead us to any conclusive answers.

A. G. Maisey · 5th April 2011, 01:03 AM

Based upon what I can see in the photos, I would accept without question that this hilt does have good age.

At the moment I am unable to offer a suggestion of origin.

David · 5th April 2011, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Based upon what I can see in the photos, I would accept without question that this hilt does have good age.

At the moment I am unable to offer a suggestion of origin.

Really Alan? The carved out areas look way to light and fresh cut to my eyes.

David · 5th April 2011, 03:22 AM

Could this be an older hilt that for some reason was more recently "enhanced" with carvings?

Rick · 5th April 2011, 04:02 AM

Remnants of Lime rubbing ??

Sajen · 5th April 2011, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

Frankly Detlef, i don't get the impression that this is all that old. The carved out areas look far to light and fresh for there to be any reasonable amount of age here. You see a lot of contemporary hilts on ePrey these days that are obviously modern designs that while sometimes based in tradition forms are really more of a free expression of the artist/carver. I'm not convinced that trying to nail this hilt down to a particular origin is likely to lead us to any conclusive answers.

Hello David,

I've got this hilt 1994 in Indonesia with a thick coat of dirt patination and the carvings wasn't visible. When you are able to hold this hilt in your hands you would agree that it is an old hilt. I don't know if it is an antique hilt but for sure with a good age.

Regards,

Detlef

4th April 2011, 09:10 PM	#1
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,791	Mystery and very interesting keris hilt Hello All, I want to show you a IMHO very interesting keris hilt. This hilt have a lot of different styles in a very simple carving. You can see stylized the raksasa figure from Java but on the other hand the bugis kerdas form as well. The hilt have also a stylized tumpal crown. I am very very unsure from where this hilt may originate, it may be from Java, Sumatra don't would be a surprise and Bugis is possible as well. Sumbawa? I just don't know. Maybe someone have seen a similar hilt and know more. Best regards, Detlef Attached Images

5th April 2011, 12:32 AM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,127	Frankly Detlef, i don't get the impression that this is all that old. The carved out areas look far to light and fresh for there to be any reasonable amount of age here. You see a lot of contemporary hilts on ePrey these days that are obviously modern designs that while sometimes based in tradition forms are really more of a free expression of the artist/carver. I'm not convinced that trying to nail this hilt down to a particular origin is likely to lead us to any conclusive answers.

5th April 2011, 01:03 AM	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,897	Based upon what I can see in the photos, I would accept without question that this hilt does have good age. At the moment I am unable to offer a suggestion of origin.

5th April 2011, 03:22 AM	#5
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,127	Could this be an older hilt that for some reason was more recently "enhanced" with carvings?

5th April 2011, 04:02 AM	#6
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	Remnants of Lime rubbing ??