Krisses Jalak Buda

[A. G. Maisey]

Here is an image of a genuine keris budho.

Mick's image also gives a good impression of what they look like. This example is just under 12" long from blade tip to pesi tip.

However, it is necessary to allow a reasonable degree of latitude in assessing whether a blade is genuinely a KB or not.

Erosion can alter the outline of the blade.

Some blades display quite refined features, others are basic.

Based upon my personal observations, I am not yet prepared to dismiss all apparently archaic blades that show some evidence of pamor, as forgeries, false, or creations designed to decieve. Yes, such creations do exist, but the pamor effect can be found in other forms of archaic blade that are not keris blades. Additionally, I am of the opinion that production of blades in the budho form continued well past the Early Classical Period, and probably they were still being produced into the 16th-17th centuries, a period far too early for production to occur for reason of the deception of "tourists" and collectors.

Genuinely archaic keris budho also occur in bronze.

[Jean]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Here is an image of a genuine keris budho.

Additionally, I am of the opinion that production of blades in the budho form continued well past the Early Classical Period, and probably they were still being produced into the 16th-17th centuries, a period far too early for production to occur for reason of the deception of "tourists" and collectors.

Dear Alan,
Thank you for the picture of the genuine KB, a precious reference for us! Any personal opinion about when and where these krisses were first produced?
I share your opinion that these krisses may have continued to be made into the 16-17th centuries, and this could explain why some pieces have pamor or are in better condition than the original ones but without being recent fake pieces?
Best regards
Jean

[A. G. Maisey]

The available evidence seems to indicate that a dagger with the salient features of a keris budho blade was in existence during the Early Classical Period in Central Jawa, that is, prior to approximately 1000AD.

[Jean]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

The available evidence seems to indicate that a dagger with the salient features of a keris budho blade was in existence during the Early Classical Period in Central Jawa, that is, prior to approximately 1000AD.

Dear Alan,
Thank you and best regards
Jean

[BluErf]

G'day Alan,

Based on my very limited contact with keris budho (which may all well be replicas), I noticed that they all have this seriously eroded look, as if they were buried underground for a long time. Are keris budhos generally excavated? None passed down as family heirlooms?

[A. G. Maisey]

Yes, this is my understanding, Kai Wee.

I have been present on two occasions when farmers brought badly corroded keris budho to a dealer for sale.

I have also seen, handled, and bought from a trove of archaic tools and weapons (?) that had been found during farming activity. Many of the pieces I bought from this trove were far too damaged by corrosion to be of any possible use, so they were welded and forged into a single piece that will be made into a keris budho.

In my experience, archaic and talismanic keris can be passed on as an inheritance (warisan), but not as a family keris (pusaka).

In Bahasa Indonesia "pusaka" can be understood as "heirloom" , but in Javanese the meaning goes much further than this, and depending upon the context it can be understood as "revered object", "inheritance", "ricefield", and it has powers atached to it that make it a symbol of authority and validation, for example, in Javanese history a number of instances can be found where possession of the royal pusakas was interpreted as God's endorsement of the holder of those pusakas as the rightful heir to the throne :- if God did not agree with him being in possession, God would not permit him to retain the pusakas.

The keris budho form originates too far back in time to be relevant within the context of family pusaka.

[BluErf]

Thanks for the additional contextual information, Alan. That was helpful.

[Gustav]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Additionally, I am of the opinion that production of blades in the budho form continued well past the Early Classical Period, and probably they were still being produced into the 16th-17th centuries, a period far too early for production to occur for reason of the deception of "tourists" and collectors.

Here are pictures of an islamic era Keris Jalak Budho. They were taken by one of the most important early photographers in Dutch East Indies, Isidore van Kinsbergen, in 1863/1864. The description says "A kris with arabic inscription (steel and gold) from Garut" (West Java). It seems to have a polished surface, like many keris in old european collections.There is also a picture of lanceheads, which probably look recent (for 1863), which means they were still produced in such forms at this time.

High resolution pictures are to be find here:

http://www.geheugenvannederland.nl/?...:1403-3790-37B

http://www.geheugenvannederland.nl/?...unt=1&wst=kris

http://www.geheugenvannederland.nl/?...wst=lanspunten

You really can go into the details blowing them up.

[tunggulametung]

Can't answer the question but

Originally Posted by Gustav

Here are pictures of an islamic era Keris Jalak Budho....

similar piece from link

[Gustav]

Tunggulametung, thank you very much for the interesting picture. I have darkened it a little bit to see better the details. It comes from Pagerrujung, half way between Semarang and Pekalongan, Central Java.

[tunggulametung]

Originally Posted by Gustav

...It comes from Pagerrujung, half way between Semarang and Pekalongan, Central Java.

Gustav, I think it is belong to Pagaruyung palace of West Sumatra, if I remember correctly there's another version of the keris photo taken in a ceremony but I can't find it.

I attach another similar example below

[Gustav]

Originally Posted by tunggulametung

Gustav, I think it is belong to Pagaruyung palace of West Sumatra, if I remember correctly there's another version of the keris photo taken in a ceremony but I can't find it.

I attach another similar example below

Tunggulametung, the description from Tropenmuseum says Java Tengah. Thank you very much for the other picture!

http://collectie.tropenmuseum.nl/Def...px?ccid=322401

There is also a picture of the other side of the blade:

[tunggulametung]

Originally Posted by Gustav

Tunggulametung, the description from Tropenmuseum says Java Tengah. Thank you very much for the other picture!

http://collectie.tropenmuseum.nl/Def...px?ccid=322401

There is also a picture of the other side of the blade:

Gustav, maybe I mixed up with other photo/keris but I think I've seen the similar set belong to a ceremony held in Pagaruyung, West Sumatra (old photo). So now I don't know for sure

[Amuk Murugul]

Originally Posted by Gustav

Here are pictures of an islamic era Keris Jalak Budho. They were taken by one of the most important early photographers in Dutch East Indies, Isidore van Kinsbergen, in 1863/1864. The description says "A kris with arabic inscription (steel and gold) from Garut" (West Java)......

Hullo everybody,
Gustav, just a passing comment:
I seem to immediately recognise the first picture as part of my family's heirloom collection,which are still looked after in our Ciburuy, Garut compound.
As for the keris, it very much reminds me of another heirloom looked after at our Cinunuk, Garut compund. If the inscription in Arabic reads (Latinized): "Laa Iqroha Fiddien", then I am sure of it.
Best,

[rasdan]

Hi Amuk,

Here's the close-up of that particular blade. I'm not sure if it says La Iqraha Fiddin on the blade..

[Gustav]

Originally Posted by Amuk Murugul

Hullo everybody,
Gustav, just a passing comment:
I seem to immediately recognise the first picture as part of my family's heirloom collection,which are still looked after in our Ciburuy, Garut compound.
As for the keris, it very much reminds me of another heirloom looked after at our Cinunuk, Garut compund. If the inscription in Arabic reads (Latinized): "Laa Iqroha Fiddien", then I am sure of it.
Best,

Amuk Murugul, may I ask you a question regarding the heirloom of your family please:

is it passed on as Warisan (inheritance), or is it a Pusaka?