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#1 |
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It has been a little quiet on the forum so thought I would start a thread about the variety found in Javan blades. I'm sure near endless but I have 6 examples to share for comment/feedback. I'm curious how everyone would date these from oldest to youngest and what the potential range would be. I understand difficult to do absolutely from pictures so guesses are fine in this scenario. So will number the keris from left to right 1-6. I will start with an overall shot of the group and then a separate posting to show a few more details of each one.
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#2 |
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Example #1. Light blade and fairly narrow.
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#3 |
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Example #2. A heavily textured blade with very black finish.
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#4 |
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Example #3. Unusual blade in that it is narrow at the hilt and widens towards the center. No visible pamor but some lamination lines visible.
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#5 |
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Example #4. Very topographical/textured blade.
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#6 |
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Example #5. A very robust/stout blade.
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#7 |
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Example #6. Long blade with very fine gold work at top of ganja.
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#8 |
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I think there is a good possibility that blades 1 & 2 are from Madura, not Jawa. I wouldn't even want to start throwing around dates for these blades, though blade #2 comes off to me as being fairly contemporary.
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#9 |
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OK, I'll bite, but as stated, this is a guessing game.
Guessing, and based on what I can see in the photos. I am not basing my guesses on most of the things I would rely upon if I were able to examine these keris. This means that anything I say here could be contradicted with better photos or with handling of the blade. I would like to be able to avoid tangguh/classification, but regrettably I will be compelled to use a little input from this source. #1 --- North Coast/Tuban, before 1800 #2 --- Madura (Sumenep) 1980's #3 ---Central Jawa, inferior work, possibly re-shaped, 19th century #4 --- North Coast, tending to East Jawa; physically the form may related to Tuban, but the pamor work shows Madura influence. Close magnified examination of the construction and material would be necessary to form a defensible opinion, but in compliance with the "rules of the game", I'd give it as 19th century. #5 --- Central Jawa under the influence of Ngayogyakarta, HB, 19th century. Note "influence of", I am not saying that this is a kraton standard keris, I am saying it is influenced by kraton standards:- the maker had a very good try but didn't quite get there. This is a nice keris. 19th century. #6 --- Stylistically this would pass for Mataram Sultan Agung, but it is very probably a much later copy, only close magnified examination would confirm or disallow this guess. The kinatah work is probably late 19th century --- and the keris itself may also date from this time. Another nice keris. |
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#10 |
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Agree that the #2 is a very recent Madura blade. When I could choose one of the blades I would take #5, a very nice blade. Could you show it with the dress?
Regards, Detlef |
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#11 |
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Thanks for participating Alan and providing insight.
Hi Sajen, yes I can add some additional pictures for the dress on #5 and I will also add them for #6 as it is very nice. Give me a few days to get through some busy times at work. |
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#12 | |
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#13 |
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Hi Sajen,
Finally had an opportunity to post some additional pictures of the dress of two of the examples. This is the one you specifically requested. Nice handle but fairly plain scabbard. |
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#14 |
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Here is the dress for the example with gold work. It is very nice.
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#15 | |
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the scabbard missing it's oversheath (pendok). The keris is worth to look for a fitting one. The blade peek out a little bit, not unusual at all, do you think the dress is made for the blade? A polish with car polish would be good for the upper part of the sheath. Regards, Detlef |
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#16 | |
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#17 |
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Interestingly, I have a Bali Keris here with identical gold work and a Naga or Banda chiselled into the blade.
Nice Keris. |
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#18 | |
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