Keris with elephant-headed blade.

Athanase · 8th March 2020, 03:21 PM

Hello

After some time of absence, I came back with some new things.

Here is a very recently acquired this Keris, the handle is very similar to the one I posted here: http://vikingsword.com/vb/showpost.p...&postcount=159

Unfortunately it doesn't have a sheath but I would have liked to know if it was possible to have an idea of its origin because I would like to find a compatible sheath.

These are the pictures of the auction room, because I haven't received it yet.

Marcokeris · 8th March 2020, 07:00 PM

Very nice keris

IMO the blade seems Balinese, the hilt from East java, pendok from Sumatra. Cograturation

David · 8th March 2020, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Athanase

Unfortunately it doesn't have a sheath but I would have liked to know if it was possible to have an idea of its origin because I would like to find a compatible sheath.
These are the pictures of the auction room, because I haven't received it yet.

I think more unfortunate than the missing sheath is the broken ivory hilt. It would seem it is being held together by the rubber band. Since you make no mention of this i do hope it is something that you noticed before buying.
It is a beautiful hilt though and probably deserving of some professional repair if you have access to someone who does such work on antique ivory. I'n not convinced it is East Jawa giving the motifs, but i don't know for sure. Marco mentions the pendok. I'm sure he meant pendokok, since obviously there is no sheath to have a pendok here. I would more call this a selut than a pendokok though and i don't think it comes from Sumatra.
How long is this blade btw?

Marcokeris · 8th March 2020, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

I think more unfortunate than the missing hilt is the broken ivory hilt. It would seem it is being held together by the rubber band. Since you make no mention of this i do hope it is something that you noticed before buying.
It is a beautiful hilt though and probably deserving of some professional repair if you have access to someone who does such work on antique ivory. I'n not convinced it is East Jawa giving the motifs, but i don't know for sure. Marco mentions the pendok. I'm sure he meant pendokok, since obviously there is no sheath to have a pendok here. I would more call this a selut than a pendokok though and i don't think it comes from Sumatra.
How long is this blade btw?

You're right David!( ... OMG I see that I'm getting old :-p !!) . I meant selut (which perhaps has a separate mendak over)

kai · 8th March 2020, 09:58 PM

Hello Severin,

Congrats, another great score! Let me know, yadda, yadda...

The hilt is a very nice and example. Make sure that the broken part is wrapped separately during shipping! This is certainly worth specialized repair/restoration efforts.

Keris Jawa rather than Bali? What is the blade length?

Regards,
Kai

Athanase · 8th March 2020, 11:19 PM

I only have the total length: 58cm (so I deduct approximately 47cm for the blade)
The handle was reported as "broken" in the notice but during the sale, the auctioneer clarified that the handle was not broken but split. Apparently the crack is open on one side but still welded on the other, as when the wood splits.
I think we can fill the crack, but I don't believe that it's possible to close it by applying pressure.

A. G. Maisey · 8th March 2020, 11:31 PM

This is a Balinese keris, the hilt & fittings do not belong with the blade. By "Balinese", I mean Balinese culture, it could have as easily been made in Lombok as in Bali itself.

In respect of the hilt, my personal preference would be to leave exactly as it is, no restoration attempts, but demount from the blade and keep separate in a situation that would be kind to ivory, ideally this would be controlled humidity & temperature, but for most of us this is not possible. Certainly in a situation where it is not exposed to sunlight or artificial lighting and is protected from dust. A small glass of water in the same space would give a measure of added protection.

8th March 2020, 03:21 PM	#1
Athanase Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Paris (France) Posts: 408	Keris with elephant-headed blade. Hello After some time of absence, I came back with some new things. Here is a very recently acquired this Keris, the handle is very similar to the one I posted here: http://vikingsword.com/vb/showpost.p...&postcount=159 Unfortunately it doesn't have a sheath but I would have liked to know if it was possible to have an idea of its origin because I would like to find a compatible sheath. These are the pictures of the auction room, because I haven't received it yet. Attached Images

8th March 2020, 07:00 PM	#2
Marcokeris Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Italy Posts: 928	Very nice keris IMO the blade seems Balinese, the hilt from East java, pendok from Sumatra. Cograturation

8th March 2020, 09:58 PM	#5
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	Hello Severin, Congrats, another great score! Let me know, yadda, yadda... The hilt is a very nice and example. Make sure that the broken part is wrapped separately during shipping! This is certainly worth specialized repair/restoration efforts. Keris Jawa rather than Bali? What is the blade length? Regards, Kai

8th March 2020, 11:19 PM	#6
Athanase Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Paris (France) Posts: 408	I only have the total length: 58cm (so I deduct approximately 47cm for the blade) The handle was reported as "broken" in the notice but during the sale, the auctioneer clarified that the handle was not broken but split. Apparently the crack is open on one side but still welded on the other, as when the wood splits. I think we can fill the crack, but I don't believe that it's possible to close it by applying pressure.

8th March 2020, 11:31 PM	#7
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,888	This is a Balinese keris, the hilt & fittings do not belong with the blade. By "Balinese", I mean Balinese culture, it could have as easily been made in Lombok as in Bali itself. In respect of the hilt, my personal preference would be to leave exactly as it is, no restoration attempts, but demount from the blade and keep separate in a situation that would be kind to ivory, ideally this would be controlled humidity & temperature, but for most of us this is not possible. Certainly in a situation where it is not exposed to sunlight or artificial lighting and is protected from dust. A small glass of water in the same space would give a measure of added protection.