Types of Keris

[Spunjer]

it's definitely a hugh undertaking, something that has to be taken very patiently. for now i'm trying to approach this from the biggest to the smallest, kinda like taxonomy. i reckon starting with general locations would be, well, a good place to start.
Bali seems to stand out, and so are Bugis. thanks for the basic breakdown on Java, yuuzan, i'm starting to see the difference. Detlef, thanks for the pictures. they're big help! let me ask you this though: what's the difference between the branggah keris, cirebon keris and the madura keris??? sure the pommels are different, but from my novice eyes, the wrangka on the scabbard look similar?

[Spunjer]

also, what's a peninsular keris?

btw, thanks for the posting your keris, Gavin. beautiful indeed!

[kai]

Hello Ron,

let me ask you this though: what's the difference between the branggah keris, cirebon keris and the madura keris??? sure the pommels are different, but from my novice eyes, the wrangka on the scabbard look similar?

Yup, similar. Look for the differences though!

also, what's a peninsular keris?

Malay peninsula, a geographic term that includes some areas nowadays under Thai administration.

btw, thanks for the posting your keris, Gavin. beautiful indeed!

Yeah, forumites seem to do their best to spoil Ron...

Regards,
Kai

[A. G. Maisey]

Ron, I can understand you thinking that a keris from Cirebon, a keris from Madura, and a keris of branggah style are all similar. In point of fact, if you had these three types in front of you, and then you picked them up one by one and handled them, they are all very, very different.

The problem is that in a photograph you only see the outline of something, you do not see the depth, nor can you assess the weight or the balance. To assess just about anything to do with keris, it is not at all satisfactory to try to assess it from a photograph.

However, putting that to one side, as Kai has said:- "look at the differences"

The understanding of keris involves looking at, reading, and understanding minute differences, often things that you cannot see without the aid of magnification, and that you certainly cannot see in a photograph --- well, not quite true, you can see some of these things in very good close-ups taken by a good photographer under good conditions with good equipment.

But even without those close-ups, look closely at just what you can see in the photos that have been posted above, look for the differences. The study of keris is all about the study of fine detail, not at all about superficial impressions. That fine detail can mean a lot of money when you get into the realm of serious keris collecting.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Spunjer

let me ask you this though: what's the difference between the branggah keris, cirebon keris and the madura keris??? sure the pommels are different, but from my novice eyes, the wrangka on the scabbard look similar?

Will post them side by side again that you can study the difference.

From left to right: Yogya branggah, Solo ladrang, Cirebon, Madura daunan and to add more confusion a other form, maybe from Madura or the North of Java.

[Spunjer]

ahh, danke schoen, Detlef! individually taken, i can't tell the difference between the wrangka... i see it now. although i did notice earlier that the madura had a carvings on the one side which i thought was irrelevant but evidently it doesn't.
it's a very complex thing indeed, and one that needs a long time to learn. thanks for everyone's insight so far!

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Spunjer

ahh, danke schoen, Detlef!

You are welcome Ron! You have been many times helpful when I've had questions about Philippine blades and I am glad to be from help now!