A keris from Buton

[BluErf]

Ok, I think many of you would recognize where this came from... :)

The reason why I bought this was because this keris represents a rather unique form that could be pin-pointed to a particular locale. It is quite an exciting notion to me. :)

This keris show-cases the trade in keris blades and parts that has been going on all these while, and also, the exchange of ideas and styles from around the region due to trade.

Buton island is along the trade routes between the Maluku spice islands and Kalimantan (including the port city of Banjarmasin). Buton and the rest of Sulawesi was known to have traded with China and Java, exporting natural resources, and importing, among other things, vases and earthenware from China.

This keris has a hilt from Banjarmasin, a blade that sits tall in the sheath, like Malay kerises, a sampir (top sheath) that resembles the style favoured by Straits Bugis, and yet, it has the characteristic Sulawesi bulge in the throat of the sampir and the batang, and a Sulawesi sepokal blade.

http://www.kampungnet.com.sg/modules.php?set_albumName=albuq55&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

[VVV]

A true beauty!

It's easy to see that the hilt is from Banjarmasin.
But how do you know that the Keris is from Buton?
I must have missed this great Keris completely, wherever you found it?

Michael

[BluErf]

Hi Michael,

The information came from the seller. I think he was quite sure of the source, otherwise he would not have attributed the keris to this nearly unknown island. And after looking at the keris and its stylistic execution, I'm pretty sure it is correct.

It's sourced from good ol' ebay. :)

[Alam Shah]

Hi Michael,

The information came from the seller. I think he was quite sure of the source, otherwise he would not have attributed the keris to this nearly unknown island. And after looking at the keris and its stylistic execution, I'm pretty sure it is correct.

It's sourced from good ol' ebay. :)
But it looks only half as good from eBay photos and previous condition.
With BluErf's TLC, it looks super now. ;)

[drdavid]

Hi Bluerf and Alam
this is a very beginner question but can you explain the offset of the handle to the blade here, I am used to seeing the handle in the same plane as the axis of the blade.
thanks
DrD

[BluErf]

Hi David,

The angle of the hilt should be like this in order for the keris to be gripped properly.

The thumb and forefinger pinches on the picetan area on the keris blade while the remaining 3 fingers is wrapped round the hilt. When held parallel to the ground, the flat of the blade faces up.

It's the same concept as modern-day fencing sword pistol grips.

[BluErf]

Pic to illustrate.

[Alam Shah]

Hi drdavid,

See the pictures here. Note: Left-hander's grip. (right hand holding camera). :D

http://www.kampungnet.com.sg/modules.php?set_albumName=albup37&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

[Battara]

BluErf,

the hilt looks like low grade diamonds over gold washed copper. Am I right?

[BluErf]

Hi Battara,

Yep, its all rough-cut non-jewellery-grade diamonds, called "intarn" locally. Jewellery-grade diamonds are refered to as "brillian". The effect of the 'massed' intarns are still quite nice under bright lights. Kind of like a glitter-ball in a disco.

The base metal plates could be brass, I think. But you could be right that it's copper.

[Battara]

Thank you. Yes, brass would also give a greenish hue in places as well (the copper in it).