Just a small question that had me very curious...

A. G. Maisey · 24th December 2009, 04:06 AM

Rick

I don't think so.

Consider. I'm thinking in terms of +500 years ago. Javanese makers produced the product and exported to other countries, possibly even as far as Sri Lanka. Since those original exports, those other countries learnt to make their own keris, and developed their own styles. At the time of early export, there was no local style for Javanese makers to copy.

David

The word "keris" can refer to either the blade alone, more correctly termed wilah, or the entire keris including scabbard and hilt. The form of the dress determines whether we call any particular keris a Jogja keris, or Solo keris, or a Cirebon keris, however, in the case where a keris from a particular area is fitted with a blade from an area other than the one that covers the dress , we would classify the blade when broke down the keris into its separate parts, so we could have a Surakarta ladrangan, pendok blewah, jejeran yudowinatan, wilah Madura sepuh ( or Bugis, or Bali, or whatever).

Pepperskull

Response interpolated:-

Oh, wow! Thanks for the input and answers; I really really appreciate them. You guys have given me a whole lot to think about.

In fact, I have a few follow up questions:

Are there any cultural implications when mixing ukiran from one area to a blade or a warangka from another?

I do not understand the question.

Is there a combination that should be avoided due to cultural significance?

Depends upon the situation.
In a western setting, who cares?
In a village setting it probably doesn't matter much.
In a city setting where the city is under the influence of a court, anything other than the court approved style will make the wearer look silly
In a court setting ? Who knows ? Demotion? Write out ten thousand times:- I will not make myself look like a fool? Pick up rubbish in the alun2 after Friday prayers?

Have there been historical instances, other than the necessity for a new fitting for the blade (be it from damage to previous fittings or the requirements of law), of an ukiran/warangka of differing regions to be used on a blade?

Who knows?

Did the Indonesian Keris owner of old mix parts of his own choosing or is this a recently new, more western concept to mix-and-match for aesthetic choices?

Must be more specific than "Indonesian" .
The idea of "Indonesian" really only dates from around 1946, so there really was no "Indonesian of old".
The answer to this lays in the answers already given:- under court influence you conform; in a village if you think you can hang a bit of bling and get away with it, you do.

From what I can see of it, collectors have always done pretty much whatever they like with dress --- something that tends to annoy me more than just a little.

24th December 2009, 04:06 AM	#8
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,015	Rick I don't think so. Consider. I'm thinking in terms of +500 years ago. Javanese makers produced the product and exported to other countries, possibly even as far as Sri Lanka. Since those original exports, those other countries learnt to make their own keris, and developed their own styles. At the time of early export, there was no local style for Javanese makers to copy. David The word "keris" can refer to either the blade alone, more correctly termed wilah, or the entire keris including scabbard and hilt. The form of the dress determines whether we call any particular keris a Jogja keris, or Solo keris, or a Cirebon keris, however, in the case where a keris from a particular area is fitted with a blade from an area other than the one that covers the dress , we would classify the blade when broke down the keris into its separate parts, so we could have a Surakarta ladrangan, pendok blewah, jejeran yudowinatan, wilah Madura sepuh ( or Bugis, or Bali, or whatever). Pepperskull Response interpolated:- Oh, wow! Thanks for the input and answers; I really really appreciate them. You guys have given me a whole lot to think about. In fact, I have a few follow up questions: Are there any cultural implications when mixing ukiran from one area to a blade or a warangka from another? I do not understand the question. Is there a combination that should be avoided due to cultural significance? Depends upon the situation. In a western setting, who cares? In a village setting it probably doesn't matter much. In a city setting where the city is under the influence of a court, anything other than the court approved style will make the wearer look silly In a court setting ? Who knows ? Demotion? Write out ten thousand times:- I will not make myself look like a fool? Pick up rubbish in the alun2 after Friday prayers? Have there been historical instances, other than the necessity for a new fitting for the blade (be it from damage to previous fittings or the requirements of law), of an ukiran/warangka of differing regions to be used on a blade? Who knows? Did the Indonesian Keris owner of old mix parts of his own choosing or is this a recently new, more western concept to mix-and-match for aesthetic choices? Must be more specific than "Indonesian" . The idea of "Indonesian" really only dates from around 1946, so there really was no "Indonesian of old". The answer to this lays in the answers already given:- under court influence you conform; in a village if you think you can hang a bit of bling and get away with it, you do. From what I can see of it, collectors have always done pretty much whatever they like with dress --- something that tends to annoy me more than just a little.