New keris I picked up. I know nothing about them. Help!

mercierarmory · 4th March 2012, 12:07 AM

I picked up a rather large sword collection from the grandson of a collector. He said most pieces were acquired in the 50s and 60s and this keris was part of it. Most of the pieces were US or European but I liked the look of this one.

They are so far out of my area of expertise but it looks like it is well made. Any opinions or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Mike

mercierarmory · 4th March 2012, 03:30 AM

Oh, and the blade is about 14 3/4" for a total length of almost 19".

Mike

Rick · 4th March 2012, 06:35 PM

Here, a blade that shares some similar features to yours but in a very different dress .

Your dress of course is Javanese .

As for the blade, I could not speak to the origin of it .

David · 4th March 2012, 08:04 PM

This hilt has some very interesting variations on the style that i do not believe i have seen before. It has a very distinct arch to the "back" and what appears to be a wooded mendak. The cecekan also seem to have a unique stylization to them. Has anyone else seen this style of planar ukiran before?
The blade, though simple, has an elegant flow and does seem to be nicely crafted. It appears to have a polish similar to what we would see on Balinese keris, though i am not sure that is a good indicator of origin. It is my understanding that this was once the desired finish on Javanese blades as well. Rick's blade is indeed similar to this one in basic form, yet there are subtle style differences here. Both this and Rick's blade do seem to me to be blades from Jawa.

Gustav · 4th March 2012, 10:18 PM

Dear Mike,

is there a possibility to see the tang? (a question I normally hate)

does the blade fit thightly in the sheath mouth?

David · 5th March 2012, 12:31 AM

It should also be noted that the hilt is facing in the wrong direction. It needs to come about 180º with the cecekan facing towards the front edge of the blade.

Jean · 6th March 2012, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

This hilt has some very interesting variations on the style that i do not believe i have seen before. It has a very distinct arch to the "back" and what appears to be a wooded mendak. The cecekan also seem to have a unique stylization to them. Has anyone else seen this style of planar ukiran before?

IMO this is a variant of Nunggak Semi hilt from East Java/ Surakarta Eastern with an integral mendak.
I attach pictures of a rather similar but "fatter" hilt with a base shaped as a lotus flower.
Regards

mercierarmory · 7th March 2012, 01:13 AM

So how do you date something like mine? Is it 20th century?

4th March 2012, 12:07 AM	#1
mercierarmory Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 18	New keris I picked up. I know nothing about them. Help! I picked up a rather large sword collection from the grandson of a collector. He said most pieces were acquired in the 50s and 60s and this keris was part of it. Most of the pieces were US or European but I liked the look of this one. They are so far out of my area of expertise but it looks like it is well made. Any opinions or thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Mike Attached Images

4th March 2012, 06:35 PM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,268	Here, a blade that shares some similar features to yours but in a very different dress . Your dress of course is Javanese . As for the blade, I could not speak to the origin of it . Attached Images

4th March 2012, 03:30 AM	#2
mercierarmory Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 18	Oh, and the blade is about 14 3/4" for a total length of almost 19". Mike

4th March 2012, 08:04 PM	#4
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,051	This hilt has some very interesting variations on the style that i do not believe i have seen before. It has a very distinct arch to the "back" and what appears to be a wooded mendak. The cecekan also seem to have a unique stylization to them. Has anyone else seen this style of planar ukiran before? The blade, though simple, has an elegant flow and does seem to be nicely crafted. It appears to have a polish similar to what we would see on Balinese keris, though i am not sure that is a good indicator of origin. It is my understanding that this was once the desired finish on Javanese blades as well. Rick's blade is indeed similar to this one in basic form, yet there are subtle style differences here. Both this and Rick's blade do seem to me to be blades from Jawa.

4th March 2012, 10:18 PM	#5
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,208	Dear Mike, is there a possibility to see the tang? (a question I normally hate) does the blade fit thightly in the sheath mouth?

5th March 2012, 12:31 AM	#6
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,051	It should also be noted that the hilt is facing in the wrong direction. It needs to come about 180º with the cecekan facing towards the front edge of the blade.

7th March 2012, 01:13 AM	#8
mercierarmory Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 18	So how do you date something like mine? Is it 20th century?