Madura? What actually is it?

[Gavin Nugent]

This passed a while ago. What is it?

I've seen these blade types before and I see others re-creating these blade types today.

Looks like Java blade is profile, looks like Madura hilt.
Dress unknown to me.

Any ideas?

Gav

[Richard Furrer]

I can not answer your question, but may I see the area near the base of the blade? The pamor distortion looks very interesting.

[Athanase]

For me the dress is Batak (or maybe Nias), the bronze work is very similar to piso halasan from Karo Batak.

[Sajen]

Agree, the scabbard looks very Batak! :)

[Gavin Nugent]

Thank you for your insights.

What can be learnt from the blade and hulu?

It seems many old Java blades settled in Sumatra and Malaysia.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=26093&highlight=majapahit

[A. G. Maisey]

I think we're looking at Madura Gavin --- blade & hilt that is.

Jawa was a big exporter of weapon blades to all over SE Asia & as far west as Sri Langka & India, but it is probable that a lot of those supposedly Jawa blades actually came from Madura, and apart from that, Madura pandes moved all over SE Asia.

I have a Brunei keris that was supposedly the state execution keris dating from 1842, the pamor if seen in isolation would be identified as Madura, the keris itself is decidedly Brunei & surrounds, but details in the handwork might be taken as Madura.

Similar thing with some Peninsula keris I have seen.

[Gavin Nugent]

Thank you Alan.

In particular, I have mostly seen Java trade or heirloom blades in Kedah and Perak dress where Malaysia is concerned, which often surprised me but given your Sri Lanka reference and the activity in the straits, it is no surprise.

Gav