reversed hilt on palembang keris

[Alam Shah]

Originally Posted by rasdan

I think the way some keris hilts are previously fixed (for lefty or right) probably can be seen at the bend of the tang. Some Malay keris will have a slight bend of the tang towards either side of the blade (if you see it from the front of the gandik). Probably to suit a lefty or a right handed person. I had seen several Peninsula keris tang that are bend as if it is suited for a left handed person.

Yup, I seen quite a fair bit..

Originally Posted by rasdan

Probably in the Peninsula, keris is still primarily regarded as a weapon and maybe to the Malays it does not matter which hand you use to give somebody a stab

Those that comes from Riau and Palembang, the short variation also seems to have quite a number of them tilted at the tang..

[rasdan]

Originally Posted by Alam Shah

Those that comes from Riau and Palembang, the short variation also seems to have quite a number of them tilted at the tang..

Yes, I agree with you.

[BluErf]

Shahrial shd find this familiar.

Always called it the batman sheath. From South Sumatra, but not sure exactly where. It has been associated with Palembang, but I think it is a region off Palembang. I've seen quite a number of this type of sheath, and I think it is a regional style.

[BluErf]

The blade.

[David]

Originally Posted by BluErf

Shahrial shd find this familiar.

Always called it the batman sheath. From South Sumatra, but not sure exactly where. It has been associated with Palembang, but I think it is a region off Palembang. I've seen quite a number of this type of sheath, and I think it is a regional style.

I love this keris...

[Jean]

Originally Posted by BluErf

Shahrial shd find this familiar.

Always called it the batman sheath. From South Sumatra, but not sure exactly where. It has been associated with Palembang, but I think it is a region off Palembang. I've seen quite a number of this type of sheath, and I think it is a regional style.

This piece is deemed to originate from Jambi because of the wide blade especially. However I cannot guarantee it and I bought it without hilt so the combination may not be correct.

[David]

Please forgive me, but i have lost the direction of this thread. I do, of course, understand that threads morph from one topic to another, but i am not certain exactly what we are trying to determine at this point, though i am enjoying the examples being shown...

[PenangsangII]

Originally Posted by Jean

This piece is deemed to originate from Jambi because of the wide blade especially. However I cannot guarantee it and I bought it without hilt so the combination may not be correct.

I agree with Jambi provenance due to historical evidence - Pamalayu by Kertanagara of Singhasari in late 13th Century. Indeed its a Sumatra Jambi blade with a lot of Singhasari flavor.

[Jean]

Originally Posted by PenangsangII

I agree with Jambi provenance due to historical evidence - Pamalayu by Kertanagara of Singhasari in late 13th Century. Indeed its a Sumatra Jambi blade with a lot of Singhasari flavor.

Thank you Penangsang. The blade and sheath seem to be originally matching so is this style of sheath used both in East Sumatra and South Sumatra?

[asomotif]

Please forgive me, but i have lost the direction of this thread.

Sorry, probably the direction got lost because I did not reply yet.
But I also like the pictures that are being posted now. Please continue

I think the way some keris hilts are previously fixed (for lefty or right) probably can be seen at the bend of the tang. Some Malay keris will have a slight bend of the tang towards either side of the blade (if you see it from the front of the gandik). Probably to suit a lefty or a right handed person.

@Rasdan
The peksi bends towards the front of the gandik, but unfortunately there is no bend to either side of the blade.

The issue you have is that the hilt seems to be sitting a bit too tall. The keris coming from a pre-WW2 collection may not preclude the hilt being switched at some point before it went into the collection. If I may may make an observation, the hilt's finishing is not the same as the sheath's. We could argue that it is because the hilt is handled a lot, and the finishing's all rubbed off

@Bluerf
Correct, the hilt is sitting to tall in right hand position and it fits like a glove in left hand position. The hillt is made of horn (not wood), therefore it has a different finish. In this collection there where a few other weapons also in complete original configuration. (including a peuwarot ) So I am pretty confident that his hilt is original to the blade.

It fits so smooth in left hand position that I really think that it is the original configuration and based on reactions in this thread I will keep it in left hand configuration.

All I need now is a nice matching pendokok.
Any suggestions if this type can be bought somewhere ?

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by asomotif

All I need now is a nice matching pendokok.
Any suggestions if this type can be bought somewhere ?

Very difficult, I look already very long for one. Maybe ask a silver smith if he can work one for you.

Regards,

Detlef

[asomotif]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Maybe ask a silver smith if he can work one for you.

Maybe I can give it a try myself. without the fancy repouse work that seems to be a profession on its own.

[Sajen]

Yes, try it, I have seen a few of this pendokoks without repouse work which have been just plain.

Regards,

Detlef