My first keris

Ferguson · 29th January 2007, 10:18 AM

I know nothing about keris. All my limited experience is with Indo-Persian and Philippine blades. I saw this piece on Ebay that was poorly described, and it appealed to me. So I put in a low bid and as luck would have it, won. I'll do more research, but first wanted to ask the experts, what do I have?

Ebay Keris

Thanks,
Steve Ferguson

A. G. Maisey · 29th January 2007, 10:56 AM

Steve, don't buy any lottery tickets.

You just used up all the luck you have due to you at the moment.

This is a Palembang keris with some age to it, basically sound, and will restore beautifully. A very good buy.

David · 29th January 2007, 01:37 PM

Damn Steve! Nice score. This piece certainly has condition issues, but as Alan suggests, it should restore nicely. You lucked out looking under the spelling CHRIS, one you hardly ever see people using for the keris. It looks like you might want to replace the cracked selut. Otherwise you should be able to work with what you've got. Congrats!

BluErf · 29th January 2007, 01:46 PM

Hi Steve,

Congratulations on your first keris! May there be more in the future.

It's interesting that you started out with a Palembang keris; most people (me included) start out with Javanese/Madura Muda kerises, being seduced by the flashiness (no offence to Javanese kerises and collectors

). However, I grew to appreciate Bugis/Malay/Sumatran kerises for the tough iron/steel used in their construction, the simple but functional forging, the tempering which hardens 70% of the blade, the confident feel in the hand, and not forgetting the fiery-grained kemuning wood used to make the sheath and hilt.

In my opinion, Palembang kerises marry the sturdiness of Bugis kerises with the grace of Javanese kerises. And they have some of the finest carved hilt forms of the keris world.

What is it in this keris that caught your eye?

David · 29th January 2007, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BluErf

In my opinion, Palembang kerises marry the sturdiness of Bugis kerises with the grace of Javanese kerises. And they have some of the finest carved hilt forms of the keris world.

I agree! Their seems to be a more even marriage of influences in Palembang and perhaps Sumatran keris in general.

Ferguson · 30th January 2007, 12:43 AM

Thanks guys. I'm learning already. Palembang is southern Sumatra, Selut is the "ferrule", Ukiran is the hilt.

I was attracted to it because it looks "real", and the "bent" style of the ukiran looks neat.

Steve

Lew · 30th January 2007, 02:22 AM

Steve

You did good. David if you remember we discussed this keris a few months ago when it was up for auction but we both passed on it

Steve keris are very addicting so be careful or you will end up like the rest of us

Lew

29th January 2007, 10:18 AM	#1
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	My first keris I know nothing about keris. All my limited experience is with Indo-Persian and Philippine blades. I saw this piece on Ebay that was poorly described, and it appealed to me. So I put in a low bid and as luck would have it, won. I'll do more research, but first wanted to ask the experts, what do I have? Ebay Keris Thanks, Steve Ferguson

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29th January 2007, 10:56 AM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,085	Steve, don't buy any lottery tickets. You just used up all the luck you have due to you at the moment. This is a Palembang keris with some age to it, basically sound, and will restore beautifully. A very good buy.

29th January 2007, 01:37 PM	#3
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,250	Damn Steve! Nice score. This piece certainly has condition issues, but as Alan suggests, it should restore nicely. You lucked out looking under the spelling CHRIS, one you hardly ever see people using for the keris. It looks like you might want to replace the cracked selut. Otherwise you should be able to work with what you've got. Congrats!

29th January 2007, 01:46 PM	#4
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Hi Steve, Congratulations on your first keris! May there be more in the future. It's interesting that you started out with a Palembang keris; most people (me included) start out with Javanese/Madura Muda kerises, being seduced by the flashiness (no offence to Javanese kerises and collectors ). However, I grew to appreciate Bugis/Malay/Sumatran kerises for the tough iron/steel used in their construction, the simple but functional forging, the tempering which hardens 70% of the blade, the confident feel in the hand, and not forgetting the fiery-grained kemuning wood used to make the sheath and hilt. In my opinion, Palembang kerises marry the sturdiness of Bugis kerises with the grace of Javanese kerises. And they have some of the finest carved hilt forms of the keris world. What is it in this keris that caught your eye?

30th January 2007, 12:43 AM	#6
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	Thanks guys. I'm learning already. Palembang is southern Sumatra, Selut is the "ferrule", Ukiran is the hilt. I was attracted to it because it looks "real", and the "bent" style of the ukiran looks neat. Steve

30th January 2007, 02:22 AM	#7
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Steve You did good. David if you remember we discussed this keris a few months ago when it was up for auction but we both passed on it Steve keris are very addicting so be careful or you will end up like the rest of us Lew