Unknown Sumatran keris motif for identification - Singa Barong or Naga

[alexish]

Dear forum members,

I have an unknown sumatran keris motif for identification. Not sure whether it is a singa barong or naga? There are two baldes here. I think that one of these is in Minangkabau dress, while the other is in Palembang dress.

[Jean]

Two rustic naga motifs IMO but looking authentic, especially the Palembang blade.
Regards

[kai]

I have an unknown sumatran keris motif for identification. Not sure whether it is a singa barong or naga?
Quite clearly a naga in my book - the larger one even has scales and a snake-like body (albeit cut short)...

I think that one of these is in Minangkabau dress, while the other is in Palembang dress.
I'd go for Lampung and eastern Sumatra: probably Riau hinterlands with Minang influence (possibly Indragiri?).

Regards,
Kai

[alexish]

Quite clearly a naga in my book - the larger one even has scales and a snake-like body (albeit cut short)...


I'd go for Lampung and eastern Sumatra: probably Riau hinterlands with Minang influence (possibly Indragiri?).

Regards,
Kai

Dear Kai,

Please kindly advise on the title of the reference book.

Regards, Alexis

[David]

Dear Kai,

Please kindly advise on the title of the reference book.

Regards, Alexis
I probably shouldn't speak for Kai, but "in my book" is an English express meaning something like "from my personal experience". I don't believe Kai was speaking of an actual reference book here. ;)

[kai]

Dear Alexis,

"In my book" is a possibly somewhat old-fashioned British(?) phrase/idiom for IMHO. Thus, no pertinent reference book of mine to cite, I'm afraid... ;)

Regards,
Kai

[kai]

David beat me to it... :D

[alexish]

Dear collectors,

apologies for the misunderstanding. The reason why I originally thought that the motif could possibly be a singa barong, is that it may resemble one when viewed at a certain angle. I hereby enclose a picture.

[kai]

Hello Alexis,

The reason why I originally thought that the motif could possibly be a singa barong, is that it may resemble one when viewed at a certain angle.
If you allow for lots of Chinese foo dog influence... ;)

IMHO clearly a naga though. Another variant to add to your list on the other thread!

Regards,
Kai

[Sajen]

Hello Alexis,

you don't mentioned any measurements from the blades but I think they are rather short. When I am correct I think you have some sort of jimat keris from two different regions there. I have a similar but much shorter (I think) from Java in my collection, see here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpost.php?p=86846&postcount=10
taken from this thread: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=10451&highlight=sajen

Regards,
Detlef

[alexish]

Hello Alexis,

you don't mentioned any measurements from the blades but I think they are rather short. When I am correct I think you have some sort of jimat keris from two different regions there. I have a similar but much shorter (I think) from Java in my collection, see here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpost.php?p=86846&postcount=10
taken from this thread: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=10451&highlight=sajen

Regards,
Detlef

Dear Detlef, Thanks you are right. There are similar motifs found on small Javanese talisman blades. I enclose some pictures.