20th Century Solonese Keris

[Raden Usman Djogja]

I hope so, dear

[ganjawulung]

Dear All,

Disturbing you again with pictures... This time, a 20th century Solonese (Surakarta) sheath with "sunggingan" and a brand new keris tangguh 21th century of Madura. I hope you are not fed-up with pictures and pictures...

"Sunggingan" is a specific ornamenting tradition, usually for "wayang kulit" or puppet-leather. But during the older era of Solonese King Paku Buwono (especially during the reign of Paku Buwono X, 1893-1939), "sunggingan" also used in ornamenting the keris-warangka, or keris-sheath.

"The art of sunggingan" in keris-sheath developped in Solo, even until nowadays (but not in the neighbouring city of Yogyakarta). There are some kinds of motives in sheath-sunggingan, which usually bear the symbol (logo) of Paku Buwono X, and also the other motives such as "kala" or "raseksa" (giant's face) like these pictures below. This sheath's sunggingan, bear the motive of "modang" (I don't have the English word of this name), and was painted in my sheath by a Jakartanese (but Solonese origin), Mas Amien.

The red "pendhok" called "kemalo red". Kemalo, in the older Paku Buwono era, was not a common paint, but rather "traditional paint", natural paint. There are many colours of kemalo, such as red kemalo (for high rank officer), green kemalo (for 'penewu' officer, or middle rank officer). And there are also black kemalo for lower officer.

The Madurese keris, was made by the young keris-maker Zulhan (2006). Although the style of this blade is not true Madurese, but rather Mataramese and Solonese style. The dapur, is Sengkelat of 13 luks. It is pamorless, or in keris term we call it "kelengan" (all-black). The iron? It was from old and unused flatcar rail-track from an old sugar-cane field in East Java. Probably from 18th century, or even older...

Ganjawulung

[Newsteel]

Interesting metal used there ganjawulung.

Typical Javanese keris would show pitch black blade or uniform dark ash grey colour. Could be the different techniques or metal combination used here. Probably, the iron extraction method during the making of this keris is slightly different from the old traditional way. Or is it the pictures that turn out that way...

[A. G. Maisey]

That's good sunggingan work!!

I used to like the work Pak Legiman in Pajang did (near Makam Haji), but his quality fell off years ago, as his eyes started to go. Back 15 or 20 years ago, a lot of people used to reckon he was the best ever.The old kemalo is actually natural lacquer. New kemalo can be anything that looks right. In super cheap pendoks it is often automobile lacquer.

There are some nice older sungging pendok in Musium Radyopustoko.

[ganjawulung]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

That's good sunggingan work!!

I used to like the work Pak Legiman in Pajang did (near Makam Haji), but his quality fell off years ago, as his eyes started to go. Back 15 or 20 years ago, a lot of people used to reckon he was the best ever.The old kemalo is actually natural lacquer. New kemalo can be anything that looks right. In super cheap pendoks it is often automobile lacquer.

There are some nice older sungging pendok in Musium Radyopustoko.

You are right, Alan. Legiman was the best in sunggingan work at that time. Now hte is too old. And the best man in that work now is Laskam. Unfortunately, Laskam doesn't have time anymore to work on sunggingan. He is now too busy with his new business. Laskam, and also Mas Amien, once they had worked in the "sanggar" keris (kind of workshop) of Mr Haryono Guritno for a couple of years. But now, Amien also work independently -- still, in sunggingan work. Both of them, came from "wayang sunggingan". Laskam even a well-talented painter too.

About my "kemalo", actually that is not "real" kemalo, or traditional kemalo. That is just "automobile lacquer" kemalo.. But it is true the pendhok, formerly was "painted" with traditional green kemalo. Very badly damage, and I changed it with "red automobile lacquer kemalo"...

Ganjawulung

[ganjawulung]

Originally Posted by Newsteel

Interesting metal used there ganjawulung.

Typical Javanese keris would show pitch black blade or uniform dark ash grey colour. Could be the different techniques or metal combination used here. Probably, the iron extraction method during the making of this keris is slightly different from the old traditional way. Or is it the pictures that turn out that way...

Yes Newsteel,

Madurese keris maker is usually "creative" in finding the metal to make their kerises. Some of their metals came from very old ship-anchor from the sea, or old flatcar rail-track. The pamor -- if the make pamor -- sometimes from unused nikel-rim of bicycle wheels! And they reforged all the metals like they forge traditional kerises. This "rail-track" keris is really look dark ash grey, and pretty cute... And Zulhan finished the keris very well. ...

Ganjawulung