reversed hilt on palembang keris

[Alam Shah]

Originally Posted by Sajen

BTW, it is the complete time the labeling Palembang used for all shown keris but I have read and listen that keris or better the shown hilts are from the neighbouring area Pasemah. Is this correct?
Here a fine example with a ivory hilt.

Detlef

Hi Detlef, perhaps you're right. While I was in Jakarta last year at a keris event (KFTW), I've talked to a dealer from Pasemah. He was showing his items for sale and I've noticed quite a fair bit of this form. However, I've not been to Pasemah. Currently, I was told there's a research group studying Sumatran keris. Hopefully we'll see the findings converted into a book.

[BluErf]

I think the use of the term "Palembang" to refer to the earlier kerises shown is just for convenience. I don't believe all of them came from Palembang area itself. Palembang was the centre of the Sriwijaya empire, so there would probably have been a 'high culture' of keris there, which spread outwards to other parts of the kingdom. Pasemah could have been one of these areas, which explains the similarity in sheath forms. But is the "abstract man" hilt an exclusive regional form to Pasemah only? Even that form has a few variations.

[PenangsangII]

Originally Posted by BluErf

I think the use of the term "Palembang" to refer to the earlier kerises shown is just for convenience. I don't believe all of them came from Palembang area itself. Palembang was the centre of the Sriwijaya empire, so there would probably have been a 'high culture' of keris there, which spread outwards to other parts of the kingdom. Pasemah could have been one of these areas, which explains the similarity in sheath forms. But is the "abstract man" hilt an exclusive regional form to Pasemah only? Even that form has a few variations.

Hi Blue,

its interesting that you mentioned "Sriwijaya" in connection with "high culture of keris" in Palembang. But I think the high culture of keris in Palembang was primarily due to its proximity with Padjajaran. Historically, Palembang was a vassal state of Majapahit (previously Singhasari) thus we see a lot of wide and simple keris blade.

[BluErf]

Originally Posted by PenangsangII

Hi Blue,

its interesting that you mentioned "Sriwijaya" in connection with "high culture of keris" in Palembang. But I think the high culture of keris in Palembang was primarily due to its proximity with Padjajaran. Historically, Palembang was a vassal state of Majapahit (previously Singhasari) thus we see a lot of wide and simple keris blade.

Well, the keris came out of Java. I think it is not wrong to say that it is the major kingdoms that have the resources to synthesize their own brand of 'fine' kerises, and the source of the keris culture is ultimately Java.

[Paul B.]

It is an old thread by now but I would like to join in with my South Sumatran 'BATMAN' keris.
Not quite large with 38 cm but large perfectly fitting blade (29,5 cm). Is this a sepokal blade with keleng pamor? Observe the curving of the batang.

[David]

Originally Posted by Paul B.

It is an old thread by now but I would like to join in with my South Sumatran 'BATMAN' keris.
Not quite large with 38 cm but large perfectly fitting blade (29,5 cm). Is this a sepokal blade with keleng pamor? Observe the curving of the batang.

I really like that keris Paul. I'm not sure tagging it on this old thread is the best idea since the original topic here was the question of a backwards fitted hilt, not this particular style of "batman" dress. Frankly i'd say this is deserving of its own thread or maybe starting a thread on the "batman" style.
Anyway, hard to tell if this is pamor kelengan without more detailed images. Even then a pattern might be really hard to see until you apply some warangan.

[Paul B.]

Okay thanks, will do and prepare more / better pics.

[Jean]

Originally Posted by Alam Shah

While I was in Jakarta last year at a keris event (KFTW), I've talked to a dealer from Pasemah. He was showing his items for sale and I've noticed quite a fair bit of this form. However, I've not been to Pasemah. Currently, I was told there's a research group studying Sumatran keris. Hopefully we'll see the findings converted into a book.

Pasemah is not a city but an ethnic group living in the Western hills of South Sumatra and the name of the area (Pasemah plateau) is derived from this group. I did not visit the area as well but heard from several sources in Indonesia that this style of Durga? hilt originates from Bengkulu, a large city on the West coast of South Sumatra and not far from the Pasemah area.