Javanese Kriss in Savu dress

[Athanase]

Hello

I'm sharing with you an original discovery.
I recently acquired this strange blend of cultures.
A Javanese Kriss blade mounted with a scabbard and a Savu hilt (where it was purchased in the 1980s).
I heard a legend saying that when the Majapahit kingdom became Muslim, some of the nobility who refused to convert were exiled to the island of Savu.
The seller thought this story represented the origin of the Kriss blade.
Personally, I don't think the blade is that old, and that it's much more likely the result of trade or diplomatic gifts.

[Sajen]

Very nice catch and most interesting. Was it purchased on Savu from yourself?

Regards,
Detlef

[Athanase]

No, it is purchase by a french dealer, who collect many blades and textils in timor archipelago in 70s, 80s and 90s.

[Athanase]

I have more infos : This Kriss was purchased from a royal family of Dimu district (and now established in Kupang ).

[Sajen]

No, it is purchase by a french dealer, who collect many blades and textils in timor archipelago in 70s, 80s and 90s.

Like said before, it's a most interesting dagger! :cool:

[David]

I think this probably belongs on the Keris Forum despite its non-traditional dress, so i am transferring it over there.
It is an older keris, but i don't think it dates back to Mojopahit. The fact that the gonjo is missing make it even harder to place in a period.

[A. G. Maisey]

Yes David, I agree with you, this is definitely not a keris that would fit into Majapahit parameters, the main thing that excludes it from a Mojo classification is that the blumbangan is square, this is a Mataram indicator, specific as well as generic.

It might be worth remembering that Javanese blades were traded & shipped all over SE Asia from Majapahit times through into at least the 18th century, & possibly later. They were even shipped to Sri Lanka and Southern India.

It is not at all unusual to find a Javanese blade of any style in dress from a place other than Jawa.