Sumatran keris for discussion

[Alam Shah]

Originally Posted by kai

I'm also not sure about the wrangka - those necessary new/restored fittings were my main reason to give it to Singapore were finding suitable good quality fittings is so much easier than in Europe or the US. I couldn't identify the utilized wood, too. ?

Lol... Good call to 'give' it to Singapore. I'll update once I've got the piece the way I wanted it to look. May take sometime, though. Imo, the wood looks like stained 'young' kemuning wood.

Originally Posted by kai

BTW, what was traditionally used to stain wood if deemed preferable?

In Sumatra, 'sapan' or dark-stained finish were desire-able, but personally, I think it's a way to 'hide' low quality wood and to make it more resistable to the elements. The better ones tend to display its natural wood grains, but as always, there's no hard and fast rules here. Anything goes... a matter of personal preference.

Originally Posted by kai

I believe this blade looks better (best?) in Minang Kabau fittings and would love to see pics of the completed piece. Go for it and win next years Keris Competition with it, Alam Shah!

I tend to agree, I'll stick to Minangkabau fittings, if the origin could not be decided or if we cannot come to a consensus... As for the competition, lol... I don't have any intention of submitting this, with what I've seen others are acquiring.

[Alam Shah]

Which hilt and hilt cup combination looks better?









For your comments, guys...

[Alam Shah]

... or another combination.









Which combination suits this piece better?
All opinions are welcome (either good or bad).

[Rick]

I'd vote for number two Shahrial; the cup/mendak seems a better fit to the ukiran . I don't know whether it's in keeping or not but to my untrained eye it seems more balanced .

[David]

I would agree with Rick here for the very same reasons. The cup in the first combo appears just a little too large. I also like this second hilt a little better. But as for what would be more proper, i am afraid i am in the same boat as Rick.

[Rick]

While we're on the subject of keris fashion; here's a new (to me) but old mendak I tossed on my Anak Alang. Is it in fitting with the style?
It seems to be silver on brass and nice work except for the missing ball.
This doesn't strike me as a Jawa mendak.

[A. G. Maisey]

Looks like north coast Jawa or Madura to me, Rick.

[Alam Shah]

Originally Posted by Rick

While we're on the subject of keris fashion; here's a new (to me) but old mendak I tossed on my Anak Alang. Is it in fitting with the style?
It seems to be silver on brass and nice work except for the missing ball.
This doesn't strike me as a Jawa mendak.

As Alan and Kai Wee had mentioned, the mendak is not from Sumatra.

Some examples of Sumatran ring/cup (pendokok/pendongkok/pendoko). [link]

An example of a Minangkabau form that would be fitting for your piece. [link]