Origine of Bugis Keris

Athanase · 18th October 2025, 05:05 PM

Hello,

I have this Keris with a very nice ivory hilt, but I find the scabbard very unusual. I think the warangka isn't the original one because it seems to have been lengthened to fit the blade. The selut also seems more modern than the rest.
I think it might be from Sumatra or Peninsular Malaysia, but I'd like to know if it's possible to have a more specific origin?

David · 18th October 2025, 06:29 PM

Nice keris. Could you make a photo of the blade in the sheath looking down from the top so that we can see the fit? Thanks!

Rick · Yesterday, 07:37 AM

A picture looking down on the blade inserted in the wrongko would be very helpful.
Did you notice that there is an entity contained in the sorsoron on one side?

Sajen · Yesterday, 10:02 AM

Hello Séverin,

The wrongko could be from East Java/Madura, a seldom seen form. Here are a few examples taken from this old thread: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=madura

Best regards,
Detlef

A. G. Maisey · Yesterday, 08:31 PM

I'd be inclined to place the wrongko as Madura, the hilt I cannot say with any certainty, the blade as Madura/East Jawa.

Sajen · Today, 06:14 AM

Sorry, the blade looks very Buginese to my eyes!?

A. G. Maisey · Today, 12:15 PM

If it has the typical Bugis flat faces, yes, I'd agree, Bugis style, but I cannot see those flat faces in the photos, what I can see is a bold, very non-typical pamor, a long point to the blade and the stub of what would have been a small, spindly kembang kacang.

Sajen · Today, 06:58 PM

Yes, the blade shows a Bugis style but there are some unusual features, I agree.

The wrongko is as well somewhat unusual for Madura, the lata is straight by the example in question, by the examples shown from me not.

The hole in the pangulu handle isn't unusual, see the pics of one of my pangulu hilts.

Regards,
Detlef

18th October 2025, 05:05 PM	#1
Athanase Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Paris (France) Posts: 423	Origine of Bugis Keris Hello, I have this Keris with a very nice ivory hilt, but I find the scabbard very unusual. I think the warangka isn't the original one because it seems to have been lengthened to fit the blade. The selut also seems more modern than the rest. I think it might be from Sumatra or Peninsular Malaysia, but I'd like to know if it's possible to have a more specific origin? Attached Images

Yesterday, 10:02 AM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,399	Hello Séverin, The wrongko could be from East Java/Madura, a seldom seen form. Here are a few examples taken from this old thread: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=madura Best regards, Detlef Attached Images Last edited by Sajen; Yesterday at 03:12 PM.

Today, 06:58 PM	#8
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,399	Yes, the blade shows a Bugis style but there are some unusual features, I agree. The wrongko is as well somewhat unusual for Madura, the lata is straight by the example in question, by the examples shown from me not. The hole in the pangulu handle isn't unusual, see the pics of one of my pangulu hilts. Regards, Detlef Attached Images

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18th October 2025, 06:29 PM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,247	Nice keris. Could you make a photo of the blade in the sheath looking down from the top so that we can see the fit? Thanks!

Yesterday, 07:37 AM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,375	A picture looking down on the blade inserted in the wrongko would be very helpful. Did you notice that there is an entity contained in the sorsoron on one side?

Yesterday, 08:31 PM	#5
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,073	I'd be inclined to place the wrongko as Madura, the hilt I cannot say with any certainty, the blade as Madura/East Jawa.

Today, 06:14 AM	#6
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,399	Sorry, the blade looks very Buginese to my eyes!?

Today, 12:15 PM	#7
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,073	If it has the typical Bugis flat faces, yes, I'd agree, Bugis style, but I cannot see those flat faces in the photos, what I can see is a bold, very non-typical pamor, a long point to the blade and the stub of what would have been a small, spindly kembang kacang.