Origin of a shortcuts keris

Athanase · 26th March 2021, 06:59 PM

Thank-you
I did not think that this handle was of the Ganesh type because we can guess a squatting human form but there is nothing to symbolize the trunk.

But indeed, the style of the grip reminded me of North Java while the scabbard and mendak seemed more in an East Java style.

I very very rarely know how to find the origin of a blade, but here it is so worn and also seems to have been shortened, it is totally impossible for me (and perhaps impossible at all).

A. G. Maisey · 26th March 2021, 07:40 PM

I'd be happy to give it as North Coast, or even East Jawa, as Jean has said, but I think its stretching things a bit to give the hilt as Ganesha.

Jean · 26th March 2021, 09:21 PM

I agree that the identification of this hilt as Ganesha is questionable but what does it depict if not Ganesha or a gajah?
Several types of Cirebon or Tegal hilts interpreted as depicting Ganesha do not clearly show a trunk, I can show you some specimens if required.

A. G. Maisey · 27th March 2021, 02:51 AM

Ask the carver.

Jean, it is a fact of life with keris hilts, and for that matter, with other forms of plastic art in both Jawa & Bali, that we sometimes cannot make a connection between the carving that we see in front of us, and some easily identifiable personality.

Yeah, I know that Ganesha as well as other hilt forms get reduced & reduced & reduced, but for me, this bloke has been on too much of a diet to make the grade.

You can call him Ganesha if you wish --- but don't Ganesha's dad & mum hear you.

Siwa has your number.

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26th March 2021, 06:59 PM	#1
Athanase Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Paris (France) Posts: 420	Thank-you I did not think that this handle was of the Ganesh type because we can guess a squatting human form but there is nothing to symbolize the trunk. But indeed, the style of the grip reminded me of North Java while the scabbard and mendak seemed more in an East Java style. I very very rarely know how to find the origin of a blade, but here it is so worn and also seems to have been shortened, it is totally impossible for me (and perhaps impossible at all).

26th March 2021, 07:40 PM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,016	I'd be happy to give it as North Coast, or even East Jawa, as Jean has said, but I think its stretching things a bit to give the hilt as Ganesha.

26th March 2021, 09:21 PM	#3
Jean Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,740	I agree that the identification of this hilt as Ganesha is questionable but what does it depict if not Ganesha or a gajah? Several types of Cirebon or Tegal hilts interpreted as depicting Ganesha do not clearly show a trunk, I can show you some specimens if required.

27th March 2021, 02:51 AM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,016	Ask the carver. Jean, it is a fact of life with keris hilts, and for that matter, with other forms of plastic art in both Jawa & Bali, that we sometimes cannot make a connection between the carving that we see in front of us, and some easily identifiable personality. Yeah, I know that Ganesha as well as other hilt forms get reduced & reduced & reduced, but for me, this bloke has been on too much of a diet to make the grade. You can call him Ganesha if you wish --- but don't Ganesha's dad & mum hear you. Siwa has your number.