Kris of Sumatra?

corrado26 · 20th July 2017, 12:25 PM

Until today it lasted 73 years that I convinced myself to be ready to buy my first kris. Today it arrived, I like it very much and here are the fotos to invite comments.
Total length 570mm, length of blade 370mm.
corrado26

mariusgmioc · 20th July 2017, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corrado26

Until today it lasted 73 years that I convinced myself to be ready to buy my first kris. Today it arrived, I like it very much and here are the fotos to invite comments.
Total length 570mm, length of blade 370mm.
corrado26

Hello,

I am probably one of the less knowledgeable on this forum but I think you got a typical example of a tourist/souvenir keris. Sorry!

But maybe I am wrong... hopefully!

Jean · 20th July 2017, 01:30 PM

Hello Corrado,
I am also 73, the ideal age for collecting krisses!

This is a very modern kris made in Madura.
Best regards

kai · 20th July 2017, 04:04 PM

While I might quibble with Jean about the ideal age for collecting keris (I believe all ages are fair game...

), I agree with the assessment given so far, sorry.

Aside from the non-Madurese mendak and low-quality hilt, there does not seem to be a traditional part on this piece. Contemporary art.

Regards,
Kai

corrado26 · 20th July 2017, 04:49 PM

Thanks for the comments not too posive, but I am not disappointed because I bought it for decoration and it was really cheap.
corrado26

mariusgmioc · 20th July 2017, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corrado26

Thanks for the comments not too posive, but I am not disappointed because I bought it for decoration and it was really cheap.
corrado26

You started your collection with one of them... I started with two very similar with yours.

But be careful, because if you get bitten by the "Keris Bug" you will be doomed forever and start collecting them. It's not deadly, though...

David · 21st July 2017, 02:55 AM

I'm afraid i must agree with the gang here. I try not to use the term "tourist keris" very often, but with this extravagant variation on the Madurese ladrang dress i am afraid i do not see too many cultural applications where this keris would be considered appropriate. I glad you are not to disappointed and i hope it does not dampen your interest.

Sajen · 21st July 2017, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kai

Contemporary art.

Hello Kai,

I really see no art by this piece!

Sorry Corrado.

Regards,
Detlef

Sajen · 21st July 2017, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jean

This is a very modern kris made in Madura.

Hello Jean,

wouldn't call it keris! Keris similar object describe it much better IMVHO!

Regards,
Detlef

Jean · 21st July 2017, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hello Jean,

wouldn't call it keris! Keris similar object describe it much better IMVHO!

Regards,
Detlef

Hello Detlef,
I agree with you but apply the recommendation from Alan that we should encourage our beginning members, and I remember that one of my first "krisses" was similar to this one although a little less eccentric...

Corrado, the attached pic shows a correct type of Madurese kris for reference.
Regards

Sajen · 21st July 2017, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jean

Hello Detlef,
I agree with you but apply the recommendation from Alan that we should encourage our beginning members, and I remember that one of my first "krisses" was similar to this one although a little less eccentric...

Corrado, the attached pic shows a correct type of Madurese kris for reference.
Regards

Hello Jean,

I don't want to deject Corrado from collecting keris but when I understand him correct he was looking for a wall decoration and he stated that he is happy with his buy. But we should say the truth and I think the truth is that this isn't a keris in the truest sense of the word.

Regards,
Detlef

A. G. Maisey · 21st July 2017, 10:24 PM

Yes Detlef, I agree, it is not a keris.

But it is a good sort of a keris-like object to hang on the wall, and as has already been said, that is why Corrado bought it, apart from the fact of low price.

In fairness, it is craft-work that uses the same skills that are used in making a keris:- the blade has been forged, it does have pamor, it is very extravagantly ornamented with kinatah work, the scabbard and hilt have been carved.It does bear a somewhat better than average mendak.

I think this is a good start to collecting keris:- it tells Corrado what not to buy, but at the same time demonstrates the skills used in producing what he should aim to acquire.

David doesn't like the term "Tourist keris" , and neither do I. In fact there never have been many keris that were made specifically to sell to tourists. The only ones I can think of were the Bali things of the '70's & '80's that had flat iron blades and "pamor batik" (patterned blades created by covering with wax, drawing a motif, and soaking in acid).

This keris of Corrado's is not in any way "tourist", it is decorative craft-work, and an urban Indonesian could use it as a wall decoration, just as Corrado has done.

20th July 2017, 12:25 PM	#1
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,167	Kris of Sumatra? Until today it lasted 73 years that I convinced myself to be ready to buy my first kris. Today it arrived, I like it very much and here are the fotos to invite comments. Total length 570mm, length of blade 370mm. corrado26 Attached Images

20th July 2017, 04:04 PM	#4
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,218	funky... While I might quibble with Jean about the ideal age for collecting keris (I believe all ages are fair game... ), I agree with the assessment given so far, sorry. Aside from the non-Madurese mendak and low-quality hilt, there does not seem to be a traditional part on this piece. Contemporary art. Regards, Kai

20th July 2017, 01:30 PM	#3
Jean Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,740	Hello Corrado, I am also 73, the ideal age for collecting krisses! This is a very modern kris made in Madura. Best regards

20th July 2017, 04:49 PM	#5
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,167	Thanks for the comments not too posive, but I am not disappointed because I bought it for decoration and it was really cheap. corrado26

21st July 2017, 02:55 AM	#7
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,025	I'm afraid i must agree with the gang here. I try not to use the term "tourist keris" very often, but with this extravagant variation on the Madurese ladrang dress i am afraid i do not see too many cultural applications where this keris would be considered appropriate. I glad you are not to disappointed and i hope it does not dampen your interest.

21st July 2017, 10:24 PM	#12
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,700	Yes Detlef, I agree, it is not a keris. But it is a good sort of a keris-like object to hang on the wall, and as has already been said, that is why Corrado bought it, apart from the fact of low price. In fairness, it is craft-work that uses the same skills that are used in making a keris:- the blade has been forged, it does have pamor, it is very extravagantly ornamented with kinatah work, the scabbard and hilt have been carved.It does bear a somewhat better than average mendak. I think this is a good start to collecting keris:- it tells Corrado what not to buy, but at the same time demonstrates the skills used in producing what he should aim to acquire. David doesn't like the term "Tourist keris" , and neither do I. In fact there never have been many keris that were made specifically to sell to tourists. The only ones I can think of were the Bali things of the '70's & '80's that had flat iron blades and "pamor batik" (patterned blades created by covering with wax, drawing a motif, and soaking in acid). This keris of Corrado's is not in any way "tourist", it is decorative craft-work, and an urban Indonesian could use it as a wall decoration, just as Corrado has done.