Hierarchical ranks in the Surakarta keraton

Paul B. · 29th July 2018, 10:26 AM

Thanks Alan that clarifies a lot more.

2 Other examples fitted in black pendok and wonder if these are correct or examples of colour code exceptions.

* The Ladrang clearly shows a white base and so a royal piece. The black pendok is replaced, it had a mossgreen one. A red one would be common?
+ The Gayaman has a golden base or what?

A. G. Maisey · 29th July 2018, 01:02 PM

Paul, what I have provided is correct colour coding within the Surakarta Karaton environment. There is no law that prevents anybody at all from creating and wearing any colours they wish, if those people are not members of the Surakarta Karaton hierarchy.

These examples you are have provided are quite nice examples of sunggingan work, but they do not seem to my eye to be the style of sunggingan dress that I would expect to see worn by a member of the Surakarta Karaton hierarchy. The sunggingan work is reasonably well done, but the motifs are not executed in a way that would permit identification with a karaton rank, and these motifs seem somewhat confused.

The ladrangan might have a white base, or it might have a gold or yellow base, in the photo it appears that the two colours alternate, I have not seen this style of confused colour coding, and I am not at all sure that such a thing is legitimate.

Bjorn · 29th July 2018, 01:26 PM

It might be useful to post photos of sunggingan pieces with a proven provenance. That way everyone can observe the use of colours - and motifs - on actual keraton pieces.

Now the question, of course, is whether there are people who have such photos available.

Paul B. · 29th July 2018, 01:38 PM

Alan, what about the first (black base) Gayaman kris. That's a 'genuine' kraton kris as being identified for a Jajar. Would be most interested to know about that one as that is the one from my own collection. The others are not.

A. G. Maisey · 29th July 2018, 10:30 PM

What did you need to know Paul?

Paul B. · 30th July 2018, 04:19 AM

If post #4 is done according the pakem rules and if it is worn by a member of the Surakarta Keraton hierarchy.
The handle is a recent (decent) replacement.
Old blade (Adeg pamor) fits flush.

A. G. Maisey · 30th July 2018, 05:36 AM

No Paul, not necessarily.

Hilts can be natural, hilts can be painted, they can be one or the other.

As for the idea of "replacement" keris fittings get changed all the time, depending upon the circumstances.

For example, the hilt + selut on your black keris, if this keris was intended to be worn at at evening function, and the owner had a selut stel, he would very probably prefer to use it rather than a hilt which did not have a selut.

The stones in a selut catch the light at night and throw out flashes.

29th July 2018, 10:26 AM	#1
Paul B. Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 205	Thanks Alan that clarifies a lot more. 2 Other examples fitted in black pendok and wonder if these are correct or examples of colour code exceptions. * The Ladrang clearly shows a white base and so a royal piece. The black pendok is replaced, it had a mossgreen one. A red one would be common? + The Gayaman has a golden base or what? Attached Images

30th July 2018, 04:19 AM	#6
Paul B. Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 205	If post #4 is done according the pakem rules and if it is worn by a member of the Surakarta Keraton hierarchy. The handle is a recent (decent) replacement. Old blade (Adeg pamor) fits flush. Attached Images

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29th July 2018, 01:02 PM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,047	Paul, what I have provided is correct colour coding within the Surakarta Karaton environment. There is no law that prevents anybody at all from creating and wearing any colours they wish, if those people are not members of the Surakarta Karaton hierarchy. These examples you are have provided are quite nice examples of sunggingan work, but they do not seem to my eye to be the style of sunggingan dress that I would expect to see worn by a member of the Surakarta Karaton hierarchy. The sunggingan work is reasonably well done, but the motifs are not executed in a way that would permit identification with a karaton rank, and these motifs seem somewhat confused. The ladrangan might have a white base, or it might have a gold or yellow base, in the photo it appears that the two colours alternate, I have not seen this style of confused colour coding, and I am not at all sure that such a thing is legitimate.

29th July 2018, 01:26 PM	#3
Bjorn Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Netherlands Posts: 188	It might be useful to post photos of sunggingan pieces with a proven provenance. That way everyone can observe the use of colours - and motifs - on actual keraton pieces. Now the question, of course, is whether there are people who have such photos available.

29th July 2018, 01:38 PM	#4
Paul B. Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 205	Alan, what about the first (black base) Gayaman kris. That's a 'genuine' kraton kris as being identified for a Jajar. Would be most interested to know about that one as that is the one from my own collection. The others are not.

29th July 2018, 10:30 PM	#5
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,047	What did you need to know Paul?

30th July 2018, 05:36 AM	#7
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,047	No Paul, not necessarily. Hilts can be natural, hilts can be painted, they can be one or the other. As for the idea of "replacement" keris fittings get changed all the time, depending upon the circumstances. For example, the hilt + selut on your black keris, if this keris was intended to be worn at at evening function, and the owner had a selut stel, he would very probably prefer to use it rather than a hilt which did not have a selut. The stones in a selut catch the light at night and throw out flashes.