Unusual Keris with Arabic inscription on scabbard. Translation assistance requested.

RSWORD · 27th May 2018, 12:05 AM

This is an unusual and interesting Keris. The handle appears to be either bronze or brass or some alloy of the two. The metal has a fairly dark patina to the front while the back has been cleaned or rubbed. The blade does not have visible pamor but I can make out some linear laminations in the center portion of the blade and there seems to be an inserted edge or “Hamon” along the edge. The brass dragon and brass kinatah at the top of the blade all seem well done. The scabbard is white metal with an Arabic inscription. Can anyone translate the script? Thanks for having a look.

Battara · 27th May 2018, 01:00 AM

I agree Rick. The wranga is made of nickel/copper alloy and the yellow metal hilt is bronze. To me the bronze dragon etc. looks to be a later addition, or at least done by a middle talented craftsman.

Green · 27th May 2018, 06:59 AM

the writing is in arabic script in malay language.

Can't make out the first word in the third line because the picture is cropped and a few alphabets missing but the complete sentence is like this:-

Mantuan. Pendita. Adaama (???). Banjarmasin. Jamadilakhir. Hari. Sembilan.1311. ????. tengkara(?). Dari. Pulau. Kalimantan

Trans:

Owner(?). Holyman. Adaama(??) Banjarmasin. Muslim month of Jamadilakhir. Day 9, 1311.....??? tangkara(?). From. Island. Kalimantan

??? missing word (?) word that i don't understand

Jean · 27th May 2018, 10:46 AM

Very interesting kris from Banjamasin, 1311 in Hijra calendar is equivalent to about 1894 if I am not mistaken.
Regards

RSWORD · 28th May 2018, 03:34 PM

Thanks for the translation Green. Will see if I can post better images of the section missing to see if we can add to it.

Jean,

Thank you for the nice comment and date conversion. Do we know how a holy man may have used this Keris or just part of their formal dress?

27th May 2018, 12:05 AM	#1
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,084	Unusual Keris with Arabic inscription on scabbard. Translation assistance requested. This is an unusual and interesting Keris. The handle appears to be either bronze or brass or some alloy of the two. The metal has a fairly dark patina to the front while the back has been cleaned or rubbed. The blade does not have visible pamor but I can make out some linear laminations in the center portion of the blade and there seems to be an inserted edge or “Hamon” along the edge. The brass dragon and brass kinatah at the top of the blade all seem well done. The scabbard is white metal with an Arabic inscription. Can anyone translate the script? Thanks for having a look. Attached Images

27th May 2018, 01:00 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,220	I agree Rick. The wranga is made of nickel/copper alloy and the yellow metal hilt is bronze. To me the bronze dragon etc. looks to be a later addition, or at least done by a middle talented craftsman.

27th May 2018, 06:59 AM	#3
Green Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Malaysia Posts: 312	the writing is in arabic script in malay language. Can't make out the first word in the third line because the picture is cropped and a few alphabets missing but the complete sentence is like this:- Mantuan. Pendita. Adaama (???). Banjarmasin. Jamadilakhir. Hari. Sembilan.1311. ????. tengkara(?). Dari. Pulau. Kalimantan Trans: Owner(?). Holyman. Adaama(??) Banjarmasin. Muslim month of Jamadilakhir. Day 9, 1311.....??? tangkara(?). From. Island. Kalimantan ??? missing word (?) word that i don't understand

27th May 2018, 10:46 AM	#4
Jean Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,740	Very interesting kris from Banjamasin, 1311 in Hijra calendar is equivalent to about 1894 if I am not mistaken. Regards

28th May 2018, 03:34 PM	#5
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,084	Thanks for the translation Green. Will see if I can post better images of the section missing to see if we can add to it. Jean, Thank you for the nice comment and date conversion. Do we know how a holy man may have used this Keris or just part of their formal dress?