Sumatran keris for comments please

Ian · 17th January 2023, 04:21 AM

Rasdan, David and Alan:

Thank you very much for your various comments. I did not expect this to be a distinguished keris by any means. It looks like something from a bazaar, and Alan has confirmed this with his very specific comments about Pasar Turi. Great information.

The quality of workmanship on the scabbard reminded me of similar work on 20th C. Burmese "Temple Dha." These are decorative items, mainly worn by grooms at weddings, and often end up as wall hangers.

Interestingly, I had a friend over for dinner last night. He teaches at a local vocational college that happens to include electroplating in its curriculum. It was his considered opinion that the metal on the scabbard of my keris was likely electroplated nickel silver (EPNS) on top of brass. The roughness to the surface is apparently characteristic. (The smooth surface on EPNS cutlery etc. is after polishing.) He judged the quality of work as about average for one of his students (so not very well done).

Alan, I've added pics of the area you asked about.

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A. G. Maisey · 17th January 2023, 04:39 AM

Thanks Ian.

There are a couple of different shaped blumbangans:- boto adeg, boto rubuh = standing brick, brick laying down. Then there is the square blumbangan and extreme examples of the two brick types.

The form of the blumbangan is primary indicator.

This keris has some indicators that point to Madura, but I would expect a squarish blumbangan in a Madura keris, this blumbangan tends to the lazy brick, laying down, having a rest. That in turn suggests West Jawa.

I cannot recall ever having seen an older Maduro keris with a brick laying down blumbangan. This doesn't mean that there could not be one, it just means I cannot recall having seen one.

In any case, whether the blade was made somewhere in West Jawa, ie, Sunda, or whether it was made in Maduro for sale in West Jawa, I do not feel inclined to guess. But I will guess that this blade is not 20th century.

Of course, in the hand opinions can always change

David · 17th January 2023, 04:01 PM

Thanks for your input Alan. I know exactly what you mean by the Madurese indicators and was going to mention that, but unlike you i was unable to say what the same time it did not seem quite right for Madura. You explanation was very helpful for me to understand why i chose to keep my mouth shut. LOL!

Thanks also, Ian, for the close-ups. It's alway difficult to date any keris blade solely from photographs (and even in hand), so the more detailed images we can provide is always helpful in any assessment.

17th January 2023, 04:21 AM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,396	Rasdan, David and Alan: Thank you very much for your various comments. I did not expect this to be a distinguished keris by any means. It looks like something from a bazaar, and Alan has confirmed this with his very specific comments about Pasar Turi. Great information. The quality of workmanship on the scabbard reminded me of similar work on 20th C. Burmese "Temple Dha." These are decorative items, mainly worn by grooms at weddings, and often end up as wall hangers. Interestingly, I had a friend over for dinner last night. He teaches at a local vocational college that happens to include electroplating in its curriculum. It was his considered opinion that the metal on the scabbard of my keris was likely electroplated nickel silver (EPNS) on top of brass. The roughness to the surface is apparently characteristic. (The smooth surface on EPNS cutlery etc. is after polishing.) He judged the quality of work as about average for one of his students (so not very well done). Alan, I've added pics of the area you asked about. . Attached Images

17th January 2023, 04:39 AM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,015	Thanks Ian. There are a couple of different shaped blumbangans:- boto adeg, boto rubuh = standing brick, brick laying down. Then there is the square blumbangan and extreme examples of the two brick types. The form of the blumbangan is primary indicator. This keris has some indicators that point to Madura, but I would expect a squarish blumbangan in a Madura keris, this blumbangan tends to the lazy brick, laying down, having a rest. That in turn suggests West Jawa. I cannot recall ever having seen an older Maduro keris with a brick laying down blumbangan. This doesn't mean that there could not be one, it just means I cannot recall having seen one. In any case, whether the blade was made somewhere in West Jawa, ie, Sunda, or whether it was made in Maduro for sale in West Jawa, I do not feel inclined to guess. But I will guess that this blade is not 20th century. Of course, in the hand opinions can always change

17th January 2023, 04:01 PM	#3
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,218	Thanks for your input Alan. I know exactly what you mean by the Madurese indicators and was going to mention that, but unlike you i was unable to say what the same time it did not seem quite right for Madura. You explanation was very helpful for me to understand why i chose to keep my mouth shut. LOL! Thanks also, Ian, for the close-ups. It's alway difficult to date any keris blade solely from photographs (and even in hand), so the more detailed images we can provide is always helpful in any assessment.