Kerises from ISI Surakarta's Prabangkara Awards
 

ISI Surakarta (Indonesian Institute of Arts, Surakarta) was founded as the Akademi Seni Karawitan Indonesia (ASKI) which, if my understanding is correct, played an important role in reviving the art of keris making, and counts the likes of K.R.T. Subandi Suponingrat among its alumni.

The program still runs today as "Keris dan Senjata Tradisional" (Keris and Traditional Weapons), under the Faculty of Art and Design.

The Prabangkara Award is run by the this faculty as a way of showcasing the works of its students, from its various study programs.

Attached is the keris that won the 2021 award.

It has been described as "Keris Lajer Pamengkang Jagad", submitted by a student named Ismail.

Oops, posted too soon. Here's the winner of 2021.

It was taken from the website of the award, where you can see the winners of other years starting from 2019:
https://prabangkara-award.isi-ska.ac...al-exhibition/

I thought someone else would have commented by now.
I'm i the only one who wonders why this was the winning keris. I mean, i certainly don't this it is a bad or unattractive blade, the the winner? I would have suspected something that showed more skill over a larger range of ricikan.

Maybe something like this David?

This maker was pretty much a beginner too when he made this.

David - not sure what the criteria is. I wish we got to see all the entries of each cohort.

Alan we can crowdfund and smuggle you in as a freshman for the class of 2024. Bring home the gold for Keris Warung Kopi.

Naw, that won't work Jaga.

If they would not accept my teacher as a lecturer, they won't accept me.

Anyway, done that, been there. I only ever learnt to make in order to better understand, not earn a living or try to win prizes.

There are 49 mandays in what you see here, excluding the stain.