![]() |
![]() |
#1 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sweden
Posts: 1,637
|
![]()
Here is my latest Malay Keris. This is the first Sundang I have seen with a parrot hilt. Is it Terengganu?
I would appreciate feedback and comments from those of you who are familiar with this variation so I can learn more about it? Michael |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 1,209
|
![]()
Michael,
Nice and atractive kris. Still my first impression is that it is rather resent. At least the wood. The parrot reminds me to the touristic rencongs that show up from time to time although this parrot is better executed. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 | |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sweden
Posts: 1,637
|
![]() Quote:
Unfortunately I had to use artificial light so the picture is a bit distorted regarding the patina and age of the wood. But my estimate is also that it isn't 19th C, more probably around the beginning half of the 20th C. The wood IRL looks a bit like the Keris Sundang Melayu in Tropen that they have on one of their postcards. (The one with full silver hilt, same scabbard as mine but described as a Sulu Kris). I haven't yet seen a rencong with a parrot hilt, only tumbuk ladas and a few sewars (and not all of them touristy)? Frey's book, pict 19 a) and b), shows a quite resembling hilt motif. It's described as a hulu kakatua on a keris from Perak in the collection of Victoria & Albert Museum in London. And in van Duuren's The Kris there is also a Malay Keris with cockatoo hilt from Tropen in Amsterdam (p. 52). Maybe mine comes from the same tourist shop in Medan as those? ![]() Michael |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 132
|
![]()
Michael,
You are one lucky guy!!! It is beautiful... . The sampir and scabbard is malay (most probably Terengganu). And typical also you can find at the bottom tip is in the form called the patat lipas, or roaches' back. But I doubt the blade is malay, rather looks like Moro or Sulu. Maybe the blade was fitted to a 'malay clothing'? As for the parrot hilt, this is the signature of master woodcarver Tengku Ibrahim Tengku Wook in Jertih, Terengganu. It soon become widely popular. Probably the blade is around early 20th century with new fittings late 20th century. Last edited by Newsteel; 30th October 2008 at 01:58 AM. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 |
Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 160
|
![]()
how does this differ from moro kris?
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
Keris forum moderator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 7,084
|
![]()
I disagree with Newsteel. I think this is most probably a Malay sundang. Just take a look at the gonjo and the way the greneng goes up the blade. This is not a Moro style.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 | |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 1,209
|
![]() Quote:
The sewars, thatīs what i ment. But those tourist sewars are something completely different. But seeing your parrot hilt i remembered those hilts. Donīt misunderstand me. I certainly like the appearance of this kris but as you mentioned by yourself it is probably around the beginning half of the 20th century. I donīt call this one tourist and flashlight can give a complete different image. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sweden
Posts: 1,637
|
![]()
Thanks all for your comments,
Newsteel; Is Tengku Ibrahim Tengku Wook really the only one who carves this hilt? Or is he famous for rediscovering it or perfecting it? Please explain some more? David; I agree on the ganja and the greneng not looking Moro. But this blade is much broader and quite different than the regular Malay blade? Henk; No bad feelings, just couldn't help thinking about the Medan tourist shop. ![]() Michael |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 | |
Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 401
|
![]() Quote:
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 |
Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 132
|
![]()
Hi Michael,
No I do not suggest he carved this hilt. I do not have any good source about Tengku Ibrahim Tengku Wook. What was known is that he is a well-known mastercarver at Terengganu. He is also mentioned in the book 'Spirit of the Woods'. If I'm not wrong, he is the first to carve kakaktua (parrot) hilt for keris, only meant for the sultan. This form soon got attention and a lot more carvers tend to follow it. As for the blade, it is hard to actually pin point the exact region. Most malay sundang would have a smaller size and the metal preference is high carbon steel which tends to look more greyish black. But this is not a main factor when identifying malay sundang. We have example which looks Javanese with sogokan and tikel alis. But surprisingly came from Sulu. Picture below taken from Bill Marsh collection. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#11 |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Italy
Posts: 928
|
![]()
Michael IMO the hit could be also a repaired hit where the original top piece (maybe lost) has been changed with a parrot's head (the same of Nautilus for some rare hits).
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#12 | |
Keris forum moderator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 7,084
|
![]() Quote:
![]() ![]() |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#13 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,284
|
![]()
From what I see in the pictures of this piece the blade is quite wide for it's length .
This is a proportion ratio (I have) not seen before in Moro blades . The engraving is similar to Moro work yet seems subtly different . ![]() I think it's all Malay . ![]() And beautiful ! |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#14 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sweden
Posts: 1,637
|
![]()
Thanks for all comments!
On the engravings I have the same motif on 3 of my 4 Terengganu dressed Keris Sundang. So I thought it was a typical Malay motif? I tried to find more info about Tengku Ibrahim Tengku Wook in the Spirit of Wood book, but couldn't? I also noticed that the smaller hulu kakatua, for regular-sized keris, is represented in the A4 Kerner book too. So I assume that it has some age, several carvers produced it and itīs not that uncommon? It looks like the hilt was made from the same block of wood as the sheath so I don't think it was an isolated repair. Maybe a complete later redress however? My Terengganu Keris Sundang #4 is on scabbard renovation at the moment but it also has a quite wide blade. It's about the same size as this one. Michael |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#15 | |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,249
|
![]()
Hello Michael,
Where do you find all those Terengganu examples?!? ![]() How is the clamp attached? Quote:
I'd guess that the whole ensemble got made en suite. Maybe WW2 (+/- 30 years)? Regards, Kai |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#16 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sweden
Posts: 1,637
|
![]()
Hello Kai,
It's interesting that you asked about the clamps as it seems that the Malay clamps most often doesn't seem to be connected to the grip? That's the case on 3 of mine and the 4th has lost its clamp. Also I have noticed that they quite often don't get replaced, in case of loss? It seems too as if only one clamp is more usual than two. And this undependent of age. I can't see what caused the notches but I doubt that this blade could be from 1975 (1945 + 30 years)? Please let me know, either on the forum or private, how you could conclude this based on the pictures alone? Or maybe I misunderstood you? Michael |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#17 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Singapore
Posts: 1,180
|
![]()
Congratulations, Michael. A fine piece. Peninsula Malay Sundang, and yes from Terengganu. The parrot pommel flows nicely with the rest of the piece.
Tengku Ibrahim can be described as someone obsessed with fine details. His works do not follow tradition closely, but the fine-ness in his works makes up for it. He is also known for the crocodile hilt form, which is really unheard of before. There's a keris on display now in the Asian Civilisations Museum here in Singapore that was carved by Tengku Ibrahim. It was his intention to have that keris presented to the ACM. It is a very fine example of his work. When I have the time, I'll bring my camera and tripod to the museum to take a good photo of it. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#18 | ||
Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,249
|
![]()
Hello Michael,
Quote:
Quote:
![]() Regards, Kai |
||
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#19 | |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,249
|
![]()
Hello Kai Wee,
I'd be very interested in a pic of Tengku Ibrahim's work! Quote:
Regards, Kai |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#20 |
Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 41
|
![]()
I think this is the one. I've cropped it because the file is too big. A hurried shot though.
jonathan |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#21 |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Italy
Posts: 928
|
![]()
Jonng: beautiful hit!
BluErf: Is it possible to see a crocodile hit form? Is a hit for kudi or other knife? |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#22 | |
Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Singapore
Posts: 1,248
|
![]() Quote:
![]() Btw, congrats on your newest acquisition.. the old ivory jawa demam hilt. ![]() |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#23 | |
Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Singapore
Posts: 1,248
|
![]() Quote:
![]() The elephant and tiger hilts are suitable for golok, sword.. etc. Last edited by Alam Shah; 4th November 2008 at 02:57 AM. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#24 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sweden
Posts: 1,637
|
![]()
Kai; taking a closer look at the hilt you are correct that there once was bands that secured the clamp.
Jonathan & Shahrial; thanks for posting the parrot - as well as the croc, elephant and tiger - hilts. Michael |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#25 |
Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 41
|
![]()
hmm...is the crocodile's head carved with a slight tilt or does it just look straight at you? These sure need some getting used to.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#26 | |
Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Singapore
Posts: 1,248
|
![]() Quote:
![]() |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#27 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Singapore
Posts: 1,180
|
![]()
Thanks to Jon and Shahrial for saving me some work!
![]() But Shahrial - where did you get you picture from? ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#28 |
Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 41
|
![]()
Yup, and I would really like to have a good look at that tajong lurking behind our three friends too!
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#29 | |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Italy
Posts: 928
|
![]() Quote:
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#30 | |
Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Singapore
Posts: 1,248
|
![]() Quote:
Some of his past handiwork can be seen (( here )). For Keris Collectors Online members @ multiply.com, you can view it (( here )), an article with more pictures. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|
|