A Balinese Keris for Analysis

CharlesS · 21st September 2020, 01:02 PM

Here is another one for you guys to analyze. Normally, when I see a scabbard of this type I instantly think "tourist" piece, but this one as a serious heft to it, and the hilt reminded me of Balinese "cundrik" hilts. There patinated wear to the hilt and scabbard.

Sometimes you have to learn the hard way, so, your thoughts?

A. G. Maisey · 21st September 2020, 01:10 PM

Blade:- Bali

Scabbard:- Bali, 20th century dancer's dress

Selut:- Bali

Hilt:- East Jawa

not bad individual component parts, but wrongly combined.

CharlesS · 21st September 2020, 01:34 PM

Alan, the hilt is far too large for any Javanese keris.

David · 21st September 2020, 04:50 PM

Hi Charles. This is a lovely Balinese keris.
On the sarung, does it appear that it was made for this blade specifically. Certainly it was made for a blade with gonjo wilut so it seems possible. I have not seen many dance keris sheath made for gonjo wilut, but if this sheath was made specifically for this keris than i can't see calling it a mismatch.
As for the hilt, i have a Bali keris that was once in the Frey collection that has a somewhat similar hilt. It too has led to some head scratching, but since this keris has been known to exist in this form since at least the early 1970s it is not some mismatched dealer special. It is, like yours, certainly an unusual hilt for a Bali keris though. So i am not going to dismiss you example as a mismatch too quickly, especially if, as you say, this hilt is too large for the usual Javanese/Madurese blade.

CharlesS · 21st September 2020, 05:19 PM

Thanks David. The blade and sheath are a perfect fit, with the mouth of the sheath following the curvature of the ganja. The hilt is maybe like an E. Java keris hilt on steroids, but particularly its girth would not match a Javanese hilt, much like the example you have shown. It would simply overwhelm and take the balance out of the aesthetics of a Javanese ensemble.

CharlesS · 21st September 2020, 05:21 PM

I think my pics just do not properly convey the size of the hilt. Its selut is a perfect fit.

These pics may help show the comparative size of the hilt, but I am not even sure these pics do the dimensions justice.

Jean · 21st September 2020, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlesS

Alan, the hilt is far too large for any Javanese keris.

Hello Charles,
The hilt looks large because of the wrong balinese selut fitted to it but this type is originating from East Java/ Madura indeed.
Regards

Anthony G. · 21st September 2020, 05:22 PM

I would said this keris is awesome except the warangka (personal opinion). I would love to own this keris with a beautiful polished bilah.

Jean · 21st September 2020, 05:24 PM

Hello Charles,
Attached is a Madurese kris estimated from the early 20th century with a somewhat similar type of thick hilt.
Regards

CharlesS · 21st September 2020, 05:38 PM

Thanks Jean. Yes a similar( and lovely) hilt, but the size is much smaller than on that Balinese keris. It's easy to tell by the way it sits on the mendek.

Jean · 21st September 2020, 05:57 PM

Hi Charles,
Pics of a Madurese hilt more similar to yours, its height is 10 cm. The balinese selut is definitely misplaced IMO. From my experience these pieces are relatively recent (mid 20th century).
Regards

21st September 2020, 01:02 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	A Balinese Keris for Analysis Here is another one for you guys to analyze. Normally, when I see a scabbard of this type I instantly think "tourist" piece, but this one as a serious heft to it, and the hilt reminded me of Balinese "cundrik" hilts. There patinated wear to the hilt and scabbard. Sometimes you have to learn the hard way, so, your thoughts? Attached Images

21st September 2020, 04:50 PM	#4
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,120	Hi Charles. This is a lovely Balinese keris. On the sarung, does it appear that it was made for this blade specifically. Certainly it was made for a blade with gonjo wilut so it seems possible. I have not seen many dance keris sheath made for gonjo wilut, but if this sheath was made specifically for this keris than i can't see calling it a mismatch. As for the hilt, i have a Bali keris that was once in the Frey collection that has a somewhat similar hilt. It too has led to some head scratching, but since this keris has been known to exist in this form since at least the early 1970s it is not some mismatched dealer special. It is, like yours, certainly an unusual hilt for a Bali keris though. So i am not going to dismiss you example as a mismatch too quickly, especially if, as you say, this hilt is too large for the usual Javanese/Madurese blade. Attached Images

21st September 2020, 05:21 PM	#6
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	I think my pics just do not properly convey the size of the hilt. Its selut is a perfect fit. These pics may help show the comparative size of the hilt, but I am not even sure these pics do the dimensions justice. Attached Images

21st September 2020, 05:24 PM	#9
Jean Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,740	Hello Charles, Attached is a Madurese kris estimated from the early 20th century with a somewhat similar type of thick hilt. Regards Attached Images

21st September 2020, 05:57 PM	#11
Jean Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,740	Hi Charles, Pics of a Madurese hilt more similar to yours, its height is 10 cm. The balinese selut is definitely misplaced IMO. From my experience these pieces are relatively recent (mid 20th century). Regards Attached Images Last edited by Jean; 21st September 2020 at 07:58 PM.

21st September 2020, 01:10 PM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,889	Blade:- Bali Scabbard:- Bali, 20th century dancer's dress Selut:- Bali Hilt:- East Jawa not bad individual component parts, but wrongly combined.

21st September 2020, 01:34 PM	#3
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Alan, the hilt is far too large for any Javanese keris.

21st September 2020, 05:19 PM	#5
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Thanks David. The blade and sheath are a perfect fit, with the mouth of the sheath following the curvature of the ganja. The hilt is maybe like an E. Java keris hilt on steroids, but particularly its girth would not match a Javanese hilt, much like the example you have shown. It would simply overwhelm and take the balance out of the aesthetics of a Javanese ensemble.

21st September 2020, 05:22 PM	#8
Anthony G. Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 463	I would said this keris is awesome except the warangka (personal opinion). I would love to own this keris with a beautiful polished bilah.

21st September 2020, 05:38 PM	#10
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Thanks Jean. Yes a similar( and lovely) hilt, but the size is much smaller than on that Balinese keris. It's easy to tell by the way it sits on the mendek.