My First Kris - Now I've Caught the Bug!

sabertasche · 18th March 2006, 08:18 PM

Hi All, here are some scans of my 1st Kriss. It was love at 1st sight - I even dreamed about it! After scanning some of the wonderful kris posted on the forum I can tell that mine is of recent manufacture. I think it's Balinese, based on the handle. The handle and scabbard are silver. The little ring with the stones are real star saphires and rubies (of low quality) - confirmed by a jewler friend of mine.

I love the handle, heavy carved silver - a beautiful sculpture! Being a neophyt to Indonesian weapons, it's a good 1st blade. I welcome thoughts and interpretations from the advanced collectors.

Greg

nechesh · 19th March 2006, 02:25 AM

OK, let me make this clear to you guys who are suddenly becoming interested in keris.....you've made a terrible mistake......it's, ah, dha, yeah that's it....dha....it's dha you guys are really looking for. Ain't that right Andrew?

Seriously Greg, that's a really nice first keris you've got there. Frankly, from your photos i can't really tell if it's a newer Madurese "Bali" or late 19th-early 20thC actual Bali, though i do lean more towards a later blade. I can't really get a good feel for the finish based on your photos. The Bima hilt is probably 20thC, but very nicely done. I can see why you would be drawn to this piece.

Wouldn't mind some close ups and views of the sheath.

Andrew · 19th March 2006, 03:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nechesh

OK, let me make this clear to you guys who are suddenly becoming interested in keris.....you've made a terrible mistake......it's, ah, dha, yeah that's it....dha....it's dha you guys are really looking for. Ain't that right Andrew?

lol. You're a bad man, nechesh.

BTW, I got sniped on that tombak, so no Indo stuff for me, apparently

Rick · 19th March 2006, 04:19 PM

How is work going on the keris flu vaccine ?
At this rate we could be looking at a forum wide pandemic ..

We must infect them with the dha virus as soon as possible .

Henk · 19th March 2006, 05:13 PM

No panic, gentlemen. The virus is a real disaster but, there is a cure for it!!!! Just show your stuff to the Mrs and you're cured forever!!!!

When this cure doesn't work, you're doomed. But don't worry, when you learned to live with it, you can get very very old. With or without the Mrs.

Greg,

Very nice keris. I vote for late 19th-early 20thC actual Bali.

nechesh · 19th March 2006, 05:21 PM

Well Dr. Rick, the vaccine is almost completed, but i still need a DNA sample from the Master Dha of the evil dhamafia don Andy the Blade before i can synthesize an effect dha virus that can be easily disseminated to the unwary forum populus.......BWAH HA HA!!!

Valjhun · 19th March 2006, 06:13 PM

what... what have I START--EE-D! Nooooooo! Holly spirit of PANJI please HEEELP!

VANDOO · 19th March 2006, 06:23 PM

WELCOME TO THE RANKS OF THE KERIS AFFLICTED

THAT IS A VERY GOOD WAY TO START A KERIS COLLECTION, THEY ARE MAKEING SOME VERY NICE BLADES IN BALI AND ARE EXCEPTIONALLY GOOD WITH THEIR WOOD CARVINGS AND METAL WORK ON DIETY HANDLES AND SCABBARDS. THE HANDLE ON YOURS IS A VERY NICE REPRESENTATION OF ONE OF THE MALE GODS, PERHAPS SOMEONE CAN SAY WHICH ONE.
I LIKE THE BALI KERIS BECAUSE OF ITS LARGER SIZE AND THE SHAPE OF THE ROBUST BLADES. I ALSO LIKE THE CARVING, METAL WORK AND STONES USED ON THE HIGHER END EXAMPLES. THE BALINESE DRESS IS SOMETIMES VERY BUSY COMPARED TO MOST OTHER KERIS WHICH ARE BEAUTIFUL IN A MORE PURE AND SIMPLE WAY. THE PARMOR CAN BE BUSY OR SIMPLE ON KERIS BLADES FROM MOST ANYWHERE AND ON SOME PENSULAR KERIS IS NOT EVIDENT AT ALL. YOU CAN FIND LOTS OF GOOD INFORMATION ON KERIS IN THE OLD FORUM POSTS AND HOPEFULLY SOME OF THE GREAT PICTURES WILL STILL BE THERE.
CONGRADULATIONS ON YOUR FIRST!

Rick · 19th March 2006, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nechesh

Well Dr. Rick, the vaccine is almost completed, but i still need a DNA sample from the Master Dha of the evil dhamafia don Andy the Blade before i can synthesize an effect dha virus that can be easily disseminated to the unwary forum populus.......BWAH HA HA!!!

Nechesh , since I am currently in the Andrew zone I'll try to get a sample ; which would be better ; hair ?

No , that one's out .

Perhaps a swab then ; hopefully I won't get bit . LOL

nechesh · 19th March 2006, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

Nechesh , since I am currently in the Andrew zone I'll try to get a sample ; which would be better ; hair ?

No , that one's out .

Perhaps a swab then ; hopefully I won't get bit . LOL

Since hair is definitely out

i think we can do with no less than blood itself....BWAH HA HA!!!

sabertasche · 19th March 2006, 09:17 PM

Hi Guys, thanks for the welcome, yes I've caught the bug

. Here is a scan of the the full keris. The scabbard is covered in repousse' silver. Would this be a tourist piece or perhaps a presentation piece? I'm just starting to comprehend the place of the kris in Indonesian society.

Cheers,

Greg

nechesh · 19th March 2006, 09:41 PM

Certainly not a tourist piece Greg. There is far too high a standard of quality of workmanship here. This type and quality level of silverwork and wood carving is still being done in Bali. I would still like to see some more close-ups of the blade though. I think this might be 20thC work, but that hardly implies tourist, just not very old.

BluErf · 20th March 2006, 12:56 PM

The attribute held by the deity (Bayu?) is quite nice, with the fish eggs (telur ikan) on it. Anyone seen other hilts with such works?

nechesh · 20th March 2006, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BluErf

The attribute held by the deity (Bayu?) is quite nice, with the fish eggs (telur ikan) on it. Anyone seen other hilts with such works?

Even though i wrote Bima before it i had meant to say Bayu, so i think you are right there. What is it about th held object that make you say fish eggs? Isn't Bayu often depicted holding a mirror?

Titus Pullo · 20th March 2006, 06:39 PM

That doesn't look like any I've every seen! Or maybe I have seen many! In anycase...nice find!

Mick · 20th March 2006, 07:52 PM

Come on guys. You know the attribute of Bayu is a container of Amrita. See

http://www.mythfolklore.net/india/en...dia/amrita.htm

The figure seems to be missing the required crown for Bayu and has a mixed up head piece which resembles Bima's top knot hair work rather than Bayu's more elaborate styling.

Since it is a new piece I guess it might be a combination of specific portions of traditional hilts rather than a particular figure or possibly a representation of a Brahamn priest.

nechesh · 20th March 2006, 08:27 PM

Good analysis Mick. Maybe there is a reason why i first wrote Bima when i meant Bayu. My sub-conscience was confused by the synthesis.

sabertasche · 21st March 2006, 07:46 AM

Guys, I know nothing about Hindu mythology, but the object in my guys' hand looks more like a calestial mirror.

Greg

BluErf · 21st March 2006, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nechesh

Even though i wrote Bima before it i had meant to say Bayu, so i think you are right there. What is it about th held object that make you say fish eggs? Isn't Bayu often depicted holding a mirror?

Oh, I didn't mean the attribute was fish eggs; that would be a most interesting thought.

"Fish eggs" or "telur ikan" refers to the small little metal beads which resemble... fish eggs. Its a technique commonly employed in jewellery-making (including keris accessories) in India and S.E.A.

This is the 1st time I'm seeing it employed on the attribute of a Balinese figural hilt.

Henk · 23rd March 2006, 09:52 PM

A lovely keris. Wished tourist keris looked like this one...........

18th March 2006, 08:18 PM	#1
sabertasche Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 149	My First Kris - Now I've Caught the Bug! Hi All, here are some scans of my 1st Kriss. It was love at 1st sight - I even dreamed about it! After scanning some of the wonderful kris posted on the forum I can tell that mine is of recent manufacture. I think it's Balinese, based on the handle. The handle and scabbard are silver. The little ring with the stones are real star saphires and rubies (of low quality) - confirmed by a jewler friend of mine. I love the handle, heavy carved silver - a beautiful sculpture! Being a neophyt to Indonesian weapons, it's a good 1st blade. I welcome thoughts and interpretations from the advanced collectors. Greg Attached Images

19th March 2006, 04:19 PM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	Nechesh How is work going on the keris flu vaccine ? At this rate we could be looking at a forum wide pandemic .. We must infect them with the dha virus as soon as possible .

19th March 2006, 09:17 PM	#11
sabertasche Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 149	Hi Guys, thanks for the welcome, yes I've caught the bug . Here is a scan of the the full keris. The scabbard is covered in repousse' silver. Would this be a tourist piece or perhaps a presentation piece? I'm just starting to comprehend the place of the kris in Indonesian society. Cheers, Greg Attached Images Last edited by sabertasche; 20th March 2006 at 12:57 AM.

20th March 2006, 07:52 PM	#16
Mick Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Orlando Posts: 104	Come on guys. You know the attribute of Bayu is a container of Amrita. See http://www.mythfolklore.net/india/en...dia/amrita.htm The figure seems to be missing the required crown for Bayu and has a mixed up head piece which resembles Bima's top knot hair work rather than Bayu's more elaborate styling. Since it is a new piece I guess it might be a combination of specific portions of traditional hilts rather than a particular figure or possibly a representation of a Brahamn priest. Last edited by Mick; 20th March 2006 at 08:15 PM.

19th March 2006, 02:25 AM	#2
nechesh Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 940	OK, let me make this clear to you guys who are suddenly becoming interested in keris.....you've made a terrible mistake......it's, ah, dha, yeah that's it....dha....it's dha you guys are really looking for. Ain't that right Andrew? Seriously Greg, that's a really nice first keris you've got there. Frankly, from your photos i can't really tell if it's a newer Madurese "Bali" or late 19th-early 20thC actual Bali, though i do lean more towards a later blade. I can't really get a good feel for the finish based on your photos. The Bima hilt is probably 20thC, but very nicely done. I can see why you would be drawn to this piece. Wouldn't mind some close ups and views of the sheath.

19th March 2006, 05:13 PM	#5
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	No panic, gentlemen. The virus is a real disaster but, there is a cure for it!!!! Just show your stuff to the Mrs and you're cured forever!!!! When this cure doesn't work, you're doomed. But don't worry, when you learned to live with it, you can get very very old. With or without the Mrs. Greg, Very nice keris. I vote for late 19th-early 20thC actual Bali.

19th March 2006, 05:21 PM	#6
nechesh Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 940	Well Dr. Rick, the vaccine is almost completed, but i still need a DNA sample from the Master Dha of the evil dhamafia don Andy the Blade before i can synthesize an effect dha virus that can be easily disseminated to the unwary forum populus.......BWAH HA HA!!!

19th March 2006, 06:13 PM	#7
Valjhun Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 692	what... what have I START--EE-D! Nooooooo! Holly spirit of PANJI please HEEELP!

19th March 2006, 06:23 PM	#8
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	WELCOME TO THE RANKS OF THE KERIS AFFLICTED THAT IS A VERY GOOD WAY TO START A KERIS COLLECTION, THEY ARE MAKEING SOME VERY NICE BLADES IN BALI AND ARE EXCEPTIONALLY GOOD WITH THEIR WOOD CARVINGS AND METAL WORK ON DIETY HANDLES AND SCABBARDS. THE HANDLE ON YOURS IS A VERY NICE REPRESENTATION OF ONE OF THE MALE GODS, PERHAPS SOMEONE CAN SAY WHICH ONE. I LIKE THE BALI KERIS BECAUSE OF ITS LARGER SIZE AND THE SHAPE OF THE ROBUST BLADES. I ALSO LIKE THE CARVING, METAL WORK AND STONES USED ON THE HIGHER END EXAMPLES. THE BALINESE DRESS IS SOMETIMES VERY BUSY COMPARED TO MOST OTHER KERIS WHICH ARE BEAUTIFUL IN A MORE PURE AND SIMPLE WAY. THE PARMOR CAN BE BUSY OR SIMPLE ON KERIS BLADES FROM MOST ANYWHERE AND ON SOME PENSULAR KERIS IS NOT EVIDENT AT ALL. YOU CAN FIND LOTS OF GOOD INFORMATION ON KERIS IN THE OLD FORUM POSTS AND HOPEFULLY SOME OF THE GREAT PICTURES WILL STILL BE THERE. CONGRADULATIONS ON YOUR FIRST!

19th March 2006, 09:41 PM	#12
nechesh Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 940	Certainly not a tourist piece Greg. There is far too high a standard of quality of workmanship here. This type and quality level of silverwork and wood carving is still being done in Bali. I would still like to see some more close-ups of the blade though. I think this might be 20thC work, but that hardly implies tourist, just not very old.

20th March 2006, 12:56 PM	#13
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	The attribute held by the deity (Bayu?) is quite nice, with the fish eggs (telur ikan) on it. Anyone seen other hilts with such works?

20th March 2006, 06:39 PM	#15
Titus Pullo Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 123	That doesn't look like any I've every seen! Or maybe I have seen many! In anycase...nice find!

20th March 2006, 08:27 PM	#17
nechesh Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 940	Good analysis Mick. Maybe there is a reason why i first wrote Bima when i meant Bayu. My sub-conscience was confused by the synthesis.

21st March 2006, 07:46 AM	#18
sabertasche Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 149	Guys, I know nothing about Hindu mythology, but the object in my guys' hand looks more like a calestial mirror. Greg

23rd March 2006, 09:52 PM	#20
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	A lovely keris. Wished tourist keris looked like this one...........