My Kris from the Edward Fey collection

Marcus · 13th April 2017, 12:56 AM

I just have to share!

From the auction catalog:
Fine old blade (pamor restored) and Surakarta style hilt, with green and gold demon face and fanciful Indonesian designs. It is noted by Edward Frey in the description for this kris that it is "Another scabbard decorated by the aging Solo artist."

Publications: Frey, Edward. "The Kris: Mystic weapon of the Malay world." New York: Oxford University Press, 1986. Fig. 8(b).

Ideas on date?

David · 13th April 2017, 03:01 PM

I like this keris Marcus. It's a nice old blade with an interesting, uncommon and fairly well preserved pamor pattern dressed in a newer though well executed sunggingan sheath.
The sheath (at least the sunggingan) is 20th century. I'm not the best at assigning ages to blades, especially solely from photos, but i'd say quite a note older than the dress.

Marcus · 13th April 2017, 11:44 PM

The hilt is rather plain but with these couple of carved spots. One at least looks like it could be a face.

David · 14th April 2017, 02:38 AM

Marcus, you are indeed correct. This is the standard Javanese planar hilt, in this case of Surakarta style and what you perceive as faces are what are called cecekan and they are indeed just that. Some people feel that these mask like faces relate to ancestors.

A. G. Maisey · 14th April 2017, 03:41 AM

Possibly ancestors, possibly deities, possibly protective beings, possibly ancestors deified, possibly deified ancestors as protective figures --- possibly --- possibly --- possibly ---

--- and the reason for the distilled figures in the first place? Again a number of possibilities ---

--- and what about the original figures from which these planar hilt carvings have possibly been distilled?

Well, just as many possibilities there too.

The really great thing about Javanese symbolism is that it is almost unlimited, except by imagination. It is multi symbolism, and one thing can be interpreted in a number of different ways, dependent upon the situation and the person doing the interpreting --- and what side of the bed he got out of.

David · 14th April 2017, 07:25 AM

Well, i did say "some" people...

A. G. Maisey · 14th April 2017, 08:40 AM

--- depending on what side of the bed they got out of.

David · 14th April 2017, 03:44 PM

So which side of the bed did you get up on this morning Alan?

A. G. Maisey · 14th April 2017, 11:00 PM

My side.

David · 15th April 2017, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

My side.

Ha ha...well, that's not very revealing now is it?

13th April 2017, 12:56 AM	#1
Marcus Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 420	My Kris from the Edward Fey collection I just have to share! From the auction catalog: Fine old blade (pamor restored) and Surakarta style hilt, with green and gold demon face and fanciful Indonesian designs. It is noted by Edward Frey in the description for this kris that it is "Another scabbard decorated by the aging Solo artist." Publications: Frey, Edward. "The Kris: Mystic weapon of the Malay world." New York: Oxford University Press, 1986. Fig. 8(b). Ideas on date? Attached Images

13th April 2017, 11:44 PM	#3
Marcus Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 420	carving on hilt The hilt is rather plain but with these couple of carved spots. One at least looks like it could be a face. Attached Images

13th April 2017, 03:01 PM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,123	I like this keris Marcus. It's a nice old blade with an interesting, uncommon and fairly well preserved pamor pattern dressed in a newer though well executed sunggingan sheath. The sheath (at least the sunggingan) is 20th century. I'm not the best at assigning ages to blades, especially solely from photos, but i'd say quite a note older than the dress.

14th April 2017, 02:38 AM	#4
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,123	Marcus, you are indeed correct. This is the standard Javanese planar hilt, in this case of Surakarta style and what you perceive as faces are what are called cecekan and they are indeed just that. Some people feel that these mask like faces relate to ancestors.

14th April 2017, 03:41 AM	#5
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,892	Possibly ancestors, possibly deities, possibly protective beings, possibly ancestors deified, possibly deified ancestors as protective figures --- possibly --- possibly --- possibly --- --- and the reason for the distilled figures in the first place? Again a number of possibilities --- --- and what about the original figures from which these planar hilt carvings have possibly been distilled? Well, just as many possibilities there too. The really great thing about Javanese symbolism is that it is almost unlimited, except by imagination. It is multi symbolism, and one thing can be interpreted in a number of different ways, dependent upon the situation and the person doing the interpreting --- and what side of the bed he got out of.

14th April 2017, 07:25 AM	#6
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,123	Well, i did say "some" people...

14th April 2017, 08:40 AM	#7
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,892	--- depending on what side of the bed they got out of.

14th April 2017, 03:44 PM	#8
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,123	So which side of the bed did you get up on this morning Alan?

14th April 2017, 11:00 PM	#9
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,892	My side.