Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

David · 11th August 2021, 06:30 PM

Hi Calum. I'll start on the right. This is indeed from Bali and it is one of the few types of "keris" that i feel comfortable referring to as a "tourist" keris. This has nothing to do with its size. Bali keris in general are the largest keris from Indonesia, barring the Indonesian sundang or keris panjang. But in all probability this is a not a forged blade, but rather, it is formed bu stock removal rather than forging. The sheath is classic for this form and while we do from time to time find actual old keris married with these heavily carved sarongs this particular form would never be used for cultural use. In other words, this is a keris like object made specifically for sale to tourists.
I don't think the blade in the middle was cast. The rough surface comes from years of acid washing. This is not a keris of any particular quality and seems to be a village made keris with dress that may well have been made (or at least had parts replaced, by the owner rather than a skilled mranggi.
The keris to the far left is dressed is a style that has bee called a "soldier's keris". This style was popular amongst Dutch soldiers who brought these back from their time in the service in Indonesia. The hilt, known as Topi or Pulasir, displays as aspects of Dutch military influence. Note the helmut top and the epilauettes on the shoulders of the hilt. Yours is what i might consider somewhere in the middle quality on the carving level for this form a dress.
The blade is an old Kebo (Mahesa) Lajer dhapur. This is indicated by the elongated gandik at the front base of the keris. This dhapur as agricultural associations. Something about the proportions of this blade gives me the feeling that it may have been shortened at some point.
In a way these "Soldier Keris" can be considered the first indonesian tourist keris, though unlike the Balinese blade you show these did use real keris blades, though not usually high quality ones. But i do find them quaint and intriguing and would consider this one perhaps the most collectable in your grouping.

11th August 2021, 06:30 PM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,023	Hi Calum. I'll start on the right. This is indeed from Bali and it is one of the few types of "keris" that i feel comfortable referring to as a "tourist" keris. This has nothing to do with its size. Bali keris in general are the largest keris from Indonesia, barring the Indonesian sundang or keris panjang. But in all probability this is a not a forged blade, but rather, it is formed bu stock removal rather than forging. The sheath is classic for this form and while we do from time to time find actual old keris married with these heavily carved sarongs this particular form would never be used for cultural use. In other words, this is a keris like object made specifically for sale to tourists. I don't think the blade in the middle was cast. The rough surface comes from years of acid washing. This is not a keris of any particular quality and seems to be a village made keris with dress that may well have been made (or at least had parts replaced, by the owner rather than a skilled mranggi. The keris to the far left is dressed is a style that has bee called a "soldier's keris". This style was popular amongst Dutch soldiers who brought these back from their time in the service in Indonesia. The hilt, known as Topi or Pulasir, displays as aspects of Dutch military influence. Note the helmut top and the epilauettes on the shoulders of the hilt. Yours is what i might consider somewhere in the middle quality on the carving level for this form a dress. The blade is an old Kebo (Mahesa) Lajer dhapur. This is indicated by the elongated gandik at the front base of the keris. This dhapur as agricultural associations. Something about the proportions of this blade gives me the feeling that it may have been shortened at some point. In a way these "Soldier Keris" can be considered the first indonesian tourist keris, though unlike the Balinese blade you show these did use real keris blades, though not usually high quality ones. But i do find them quaint and intriguing and would consider this one perhaps the most collectable in your grouping.