BIRD FORM KERIS HANDLES, SUMATRA

[Marcokeris]

Originally Posted by GIO

Here is my cockatoo.
Sumatra ? peninsular ? composite ?

Very very nice. IMO peninsular

[fearn]

Just a couple of zoological notes:

--Hummingbirds are strictly new world. The Indonesian equivalents are sunbirds.

The other, more interesting question is why no one mentions hornbills in this context. The ones posted by Vandoo, VVV, and Sajen certainly look like hornbills to me.

Best,

F

[sirek]

the story of the seller was: that he originally comes from bali
and that all parts belong together and are not composed

but I'm not knowledgeable enough to confirm this ,

but I would like to hear someone else's opinion if the seller was wrong

[VANDOO]

I AGREE THE HORNBILL AND KINGFISHER BOTH HAVE A LOT MORE CULTURAL IMPORTANCE IN THOSE AREAS. THE KERIS IN QUESTION WAS IDENTIFIED AS A HUMMINGBIRD KERIS IN THE BOOK BUT I WONDERED IF IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A HORNBILL SUCH AS THIS ONE.
ITS TOO BAD THEY DON'T HAVE NATIVE HUMMINGBIRDS AS NOTHING ELSE CAN FLY LIKE THEY DO AND THEY ARE PRETTY LITTLE CRITTERS. I GUESS ITS ONLY FAIR AS WE DON'T HAVE HORNBILLS OVER HERE.

EVERYONE SURE HAS SOME BEAUTIFUL AND UNUSUAL KERIS. THE LAST ONE IS SURE NEAT IT HAS PHOENIX AND A LOBSTER OR SCORPION? I HAD NOT SEEN THAT BEFORE. I HAVENT SEEN ONE WITH A STORK FOR FERTILITY YET

[David]

Originally Posted by sirek

the story of the seller was: that he originally comes from bali
and that all parts belong together and are not composed

but I'm not knowledgeable enough to confirm this ,

but I would like to hear someone else's opinion if the seller was wrong

I am fairly confident in stating that your blade is not a Bali or Lombok blade. The dress is also not like any Bali dress i know either by motif or design, though the shape of the sheath is somewhat similar to the Bali gayaman style sheaths. But it looks more likely to be from Madura is regards to the carving (though given the lobster motif it might be from Nova Scotia )
The blade certainly looks Bugis to my eyes.

[David]

Sirek, i photo shopped a little of the detail into your shot for better reference.

[kai]

Indeed, a Bugis blade IMHO.

The fittings look post-WW2 to me. To me the Bugis blade and fittings with Bali influence makes an origin from Lombok quite probable (with a more recent Madura composite being the other possibility); the non-traditional motifs may make it difficult to prove it one way or the other though.

Regards,
Kai

[sirek]

Thank you for your effort and comment,

it's always nice to hear other opinions especially because I am not as experienced as most members.

I am convinced that the selling party has not always correct and complete information, but by the shape and size (and of course the story of the seller) I thought I recognized a Bali shape.
but it is possible to be completely different, therefore I appreciate the comment

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by kai

Indeed, a Bugis blade IMHO.

The fittings look post-WW2 to me. To me the Bugis blade and fittings with Bali influence makes an origin from Lombok quite probable (with a more recent Madura composite being the other possibility); the non-traditional motifs may make it difficult to prove it one way or the other though.

Regards,
Kai

Agree complete with you Kai. One thing is to add maybe, the selut seems not to fit well with the hilt.

Regards,

Detlef