Keris Jawa for Comment

Raja Muda · 9th March 2011, 09:56 AM

Gentlemen,

It has been a while. I have recently acquired this keris and as I have very little experience with keris Jawa, I was wondering if our esteemed forum members could assist me with identifying the dhapur and tangguh of this keris. The hilt is somewhat unusual, made of bone with interesting carvings. I hope someone can shed light on the origins of the ukiran too. The blade came without a warangka, and I'm still considering whether to dress it in a proper Javanese warangka, or some other sheath which I can get my hands on here in Malaysia. Regards

Marcokeris · 9th March 2011, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raja Muda

Gentlemen,

It has been a while. I have recently acquired this keris and as I have very little experience with keris Jawa, I was wondering if our esteemed forum members could assist me with identifying the dhapur and tangguh of this keris. The hilt is somewhat unusual, made of bone with interesting carvings. I hope someone can shed light on the origins of the ukiran too. The blade came without a warangka, and I'm still considering whether to dress it in a proper Javanese warangka, or some other sheath which I can get my hands on here in Malaysia. Regards

The ukiran would be from Madura (...or around area). Sometimes there is (around the base) a metal ring (a kind of selut).............. Your hilt seems very nice

David · 9th March 2011, 03:50 PM

Better, closer photos would be helpful. I'd say that the blade looks more Javanese than Madurese. Personally i think this would be best dressed in Javanese clothing.

Raja Muda · 10th March 2011, 03:21 PM

Additional pictures though I must say my photographic skills are quite rudimentary.

Gustav · 10th March 2011, 04:15 PM

oncemore.

David · 10th March 2011, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raja Muda

Additional pictures though I must say my photographic skills are quite rudimentary.

Rudimentary perhaps Raja, but these new images are much better for making assessments than just that first over all shot.

... and thanks Gustav, for taking the time to give them proper orientation.

Sajen · 10th March 2011, 09:04 PM

Nice hilt, like Marco write from Madura or East Java. Blade seems to be from good quality. Do you plan to etch the blade?

Regards,

Detlef

Raja Muda · 11th March 2011, 01:06 PM

Thanks Gustav, like a compass needle, the blade does look better pointing north. Sajen, I rather like the patina of the blade at the moment, so I will probably go as far as cleaning it with some lime juice and oiling it.

I have not personally handled warangan myself, and I don't quite like the idea of keeping it around the house, as I have a toddler running around these days.

I have seen some attempts at staining by other collectors, though I can say the results can be patchy in inexpert hands, yielding more greyish tinge than true black. I don't think I want to risk it.

9th March 2011, 09:56 AM	#1
Raja Muda Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Posts: 100	Keris Jawa for Comment Gentlemen, It has been a while. I have recently acquired this keris and as I have very little experience with keris Jawa, I was wondering if our esteemed forum members could assist me with identifying the dhapur and tangguh of this keris. The hilt is somewhat unusual, made of bone with interesting carvings. I hope someone can shed light on the origins of the ukiran too. The blade came without a warangka, and I'm still considering whether to dress it in a proper Javanese warangka, or some other sheath which I can get my hands on here in Malaysia. Regards Attached Images

10th March 2011, 03:21 PM	#4
Raja Muda Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Posts: 100	More pictures Additional pictures though I must say my photographic skills are quite rudimentary. Attached Images Last edited by Raja Muda; 10th March 2011 at 03:35 PM.

10th March 2011, 04:15 PM	#5
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,249	oncemore. Attached Images

11th March 2011, 01:06 PM	#8
Raja Muda Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Posts: 100	Staining Thanks Gustav, like a compass needle, the blade does look better pointing north. Sajen, I rather like the patina of the blade at the moment, so I will probably go as far as cleaning it with some lime juice and oiling it. I have not personally handled warangan myself, and I don't quite like the idea of keeping it around the house, as I have a toddler running around these days. I have seen some attempts at staining by other collectors, though I can say the results can be patchy in inexpert hands, yielding more greyish tinge than true black. I don't think I want to risk it.

9th March 2011, 03:50 PM	#3
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,124	Better, closer photos would be helpful. I'd say that the blade looks more Javanese than Madurese. Personally i think this would be best dressed in Javanese clothing.

10th March 2011, 09:04 PM	#7
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,781	Nice hilt, like Marco write from Madura or East Java. Blade seems to be from good quality. Do you plan to etch the blade? Regards, Detlef