Slim Kojuk Mrenges Keris Hilt from Madura

[COYOTE]

I recently bought a Kojuk Mrenges keris hilt, made in Madura Island and believed to be very old elephant ivory. I am very curious about his size. As far as I understand, there are basically 2 types of these Kojuk Mrenges keris hilts : one being much slimmer than the other. But the present one is even slimmer than the slim model.
Please have a look on the pictures figuring a "normal slim" model of Kojuk Mrenges and an other "much slimmer".
The measures of the 2 pieces are :
The "normal slim" one :
length 9.5 cm,
thickness of the piece without considering the base : 2.1 cm
measures of the base : 2.4x2.4 cm
The "much slimmer" one :
length 8.9 cm,
thickness of the piece without considering the base : 1.4 cm
measures of the base : 2.0x1.7 cm
So, as can be seen, there is a quite important difference on the thickness of the 2 pieces, 2.1 cm against 1.4 cm.
Would it be possible that this keris hilt was made for a woman or for a child ?
Otherwise, would it have an other explanation ?
Thanks in advance in helping me to learn from the experts ...
Best Wishes from Rio

[David]

My immediate thought was that the carver was working with the amount of material that was available to them at the time. I am not sure that a hilt would necessarily need to be even slimmer than the already slim version you show to accommodate a small hand.
Here is my own "slim" version of this style of hilt.

[Sajen]

Hello Patrick,

I have handled a lot of this slim Kojuk Mrenges hilts over the years but can't tell you the exact purpose of this slim hilts and I never have handled a keris with such a hilt where I have been sure that the ensemble is original and already long together. Will post my example when the light it allows to take pictures.

Regards,
Detlef

[David]

I'm not sure if it means anything, but my example is indeed on a patrem blade.

[COYOTE]

Thank you David and Detlef for your precious information.
As it seems, and I think it is absolutely correct, that the usual slim Kojuk Mrenges hilt will fit perfectly for small hands.
So, could this smaller model have been made for a very young child, not old enough to use it but as part of a ceremonial or festivities dress ?

[David]

Originally Posted by COYOTE

Thank you David and Detlef for your precious information.
As it seems, and I think it is absolutely correct, that the usual slim Kojuk Mrenges hilt will fit perfectly for small hands.
So, could this smaller model have been made for a very young child, not old enough to use it but as part of a ceremonial or festivities dress ?

I don't think very many very young children would have keris for ceremonial purposes. A hilt for a patrem seems more reasonable.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Will post my example when the light it allows to take pictures.

Hello Patrick,

like promised, here my slim example side by side with a "normal" sized example.

Regards,
Detlef

[COYOTE]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hello Patrick,

like promised, here my slim example side by side with a "normal" sized example.

Regards,
Detlef

Hello Detlef,
Nice pieces indeed.
Thanks again for your help.
Best from Rio,
Patrick

[Sajen]

You're welcome!