Any ideas about this little Sumatra keris?

mteuthof · 17th February 2020, 03:46 PM

Hello everyone,

I recently acquired this little keris. The Gandar (sheath) is from Sumatra I assume but the blade is very unusual.

Is the blade an old utility blade or working knife?

Total length is: 23cm
Length of the keris: 21,5cm
Length of the blade: 17cm.

Would appreciate any help and assistance!

David · 17th February 2020, 06:34 PM

My ideas about this little Sumatra keris is that it is not a keris at all.

kai · 18th February 2020, 09:15 PM

Hello Maurits,

I'm not sure that this piece really is from Sumatra. I may well be but it seems a bit too young to exhibit clearcut features that might allow positive identification to any traditional local culture.

Regards,
Kai

A. G. Maisey · 18th February 2020, 10:30 PM

I would most gently suggest that this weapon was very probably regarded as a keris by the person who initially produced it.

To my eye it bears every indication of a weapon of keris-like form that was manufactured for use by a person of lower social status in a place that was not subject to the standards of a refined community.

As collectors we sometimes tend to forget that in the area of SE Asia where the keris is found, not all communities have the same, or even similar, standards. Small, isolated fishing or subsistence farming communities bear absolutely no relevance to communities that are under the influence of a kraton.

Personally, I regard this weapon as a valuable addition to a collection that is formed around the concepts of study & understanding, rather than around the concept of art.

17th February 2020, 03:46 PM	#1
mteuthof Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Posts: 9	Any ideas about this little Sumatra keris? Hello everyone, I recently acquired this little keris. The Gandar (sheath) is from Sumatra I assume but the blade is very unusual. Is the blade an old utility blade or working knife? Total length is: 23cm Length of the keris: 21,5cm Length of the blade: 17cm. Would appreciate any help and assistance! Attached Images

17th February 2020, 06:34 PM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,127	My ideas about this little Sumatra keris is that it is not a keris at all.

18th February 2020, 09:15 PM	#3
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	Hello Maurits, I'm not sure that this piece really is from Sumatra. I may well be but it seems a bit too young to exhibit clearcut features that might allow positive identification to any traditional local culture. Regards, Kai

18th February 2020, 10:30 PM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,896	I would most gently suggest that this weapon was very probably regarded as a keris by the person who initially produced it. To my eye it bears every indication of a weapon of keris-like form that was manufactured for use by a person of lower social status in a place that was not subject to the standards of a refined community. As collectors we sometimes tend to forget that in the area of SE Asia where the keris is found, not all communities have the same, or even similar, standards. Small, isolated fishing or subsistence farming communities bear absolutely no relevance to communities that are under the influence of a kraton. Personally, I regard this weapon as a valuable addition to a collection that is formed around the concepts of study & understanding, rather than around the concept of art.