Identification of keris hilt

Jan · 16th February 2005, 05:22 PM

Hello, and sorry for coming in late on this one.

The picture shown by Pak Rasdan in the second posting of this thread looks VERY similar to a single metal keris handle that I purchased in Yogya about 4 years ago. I would be happy if Pak Rasdan or Raja Muda wcould remember the title of the book it is in, just to see if it says anything interesting about this particular handle.

My first attempt at taking digital pictures of my handle didn´t work out yet, I will try again later and just give you a quick comment on my version:

It is rather newly made, probably using modern tools.
It is hard to tell from Pak Rasdan´s picture above, but in this version, the old man has very furry eyebrows and a long beard down his chest. Especially face and beard are far more detailed in comparison with other keris sajen that I have seen.
The beard is partly seperated from the chest by three holes drilled through its base. In my case, these were apparently drilled through from left to right - the holes are much more precise on the left side, while the right still shows tiny bits of metal in the rim were the drill came out. I noticed this before buying it, so I never really thought it to be an old handle.
The inside of the hole for the peksi also looks professionally made using modern tools - just too precise and too smooth at the bottom of the hole.
Also, it is not as deep as other peksi holes I have seen, so maybe it would need more fixation than the traditional method - welding ???

Judging from this I would assume that both the hilt of Alam Shah`s keris and my version of it are actually modern-made single hilts that can be either normally attached or maybe even welded to a keris blade to "style it" into a keris sajen.

I will see if I get around to taking some pictures later.

Alam Shah · 16th February 2005, 11:53 PM

On both sides...

Alam Shah · 18th February 2005, 03:21 AM

Jan,
Let's have a look at your piece...

Jan · 20th February 2005, 02:52 PM

And here it is.

rasdan · 23rd February 2005, 05:52 AM

Hi guys,

IMHO these hilts are of recent manufacture. I recently seen another one in Kg. Baru Antique shop KL. It looks down right similar to the example in the book. In Alam Shah's example, i think its an old blade fitted later on with the hilt. The inscription also looks recent as well. I'm not sure if the inscription is Koranic but if it is, it rather ironic to have it on a blade with a putut hilt which is "unislamic".

rahman · 23rd February 2005, 06:59 AM

I think Alam Shah has said the inscription is talismanic rather than Quranic.

Alam -- what exactly does it say? Is it in Malay?

Alam Shah · 28th February 2005, 05:50 AM

After considering the comments...below is my opinion.

> Rasdan : IMHO these hilts are of recent manufacture
I think so too. But mine is at least 15 years only. (That's how long I've kept it).

What I believe.
Mine is a 2-piece keris (although the hilt cannot be removed). It's not a keris sajen.
The piece is used as a protective talisman, in Malay/Indonesia, by a spiritual healer. To use against disturbance from malevolent spirits and such.
To add functionality, the inscription was added at a later stage.

- Why this particular hilt is used? I don't know.
But i guess, it's just a symbol that the keris is for talismanic use...

> rahman: what exactly does it say? Is it in Malay?
No, it's not in malay. See the images that I had posted. It's more symbolic rather than an incantation.

I appreciate the comments from all who had participated. Thank you.

16th February 2005, 11:53 PM	#2
Alam Shah Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,248	Inscriptions on the blade...both sides On both sides... Attached Images

18th February 2005, 03:21 AM	#3
Alam Shah Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,248	Another example... Jan, Let's have a look at your piece...

20th February 2005, 02:52 PM	#4
Jan Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hamburg, Germany Posts: 8	And here it is. Attached Images Last edited by Jan; 20th February 2005 at 03:38 PM.

28th February 2005, 05:50 AM	#7
Alam Shah Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,248	My Conclusion...? After considering the comments...below is my opinion. > Rasdan : IMHO these hilts are of recent manufacture I think so too. But mine is at least 15 years only. (That's how long I've kept it). What I believe. Mine is a 2-piece keris (although the hilt cannot be removed). It's not a keris sajen. The piece is used as a protective talisman, in Malay/Indonesia, by a spiritual healer. To use against disturbance from malevolent spirits and such. To add functionality, the inscription was added at a later stage. - Why this particular hilt is used? I don't know. But i guess, it's just a symbol that the keris is for talismanic use... > rahman: what exactly does it say? Is it in Malay? No, it's not in malay. See the images that I had posted. It's more symbolic rather than an incantation. I appreciate the comments from all who had participated. Thank you.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

16th February 2005, 05:22 PM	#1
Jan Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hamburg, Germany Posts: 8	Hello, and sorry for coming in late on this one. The picture shown by Pak Rasdan in the second posting of this thread looks VERY similar to a single metal keris handle that I purchased in Yogya about 4 years ago. I would be happy if Pak Rasdan or Raja Muda wcould remember the title of the book it is in, just to see if it says anything interesting about this particular handle. My first attempt at taking digital pictures of my handle didn´t work out yet, I will try again later and just give you a quick comment on my version: It is rather newly made, probably using modern tools. It is hard to tell from Pak Rasdan´s picture above, but in this version, the old man has very furry eyebrows and a long beard down his chest. Especially face and beard are far more detailed in comparison with other keris sajen that I have seen. The beard is partly seperated from the chest by three holes drilled through its base. In my case, these were apparently drilled through from left to right - the holes are much more precise on the left side, while the right still shows tiny bits of metal in the rim were the drill came out. I noticed this before buying it, so I never really thought it to be an old handle. The inside of the hole for the peksi also looks professionally made using modern tools - just too precise and too smooth at the bottom of the hole. Also, it is not as deep as other peksi holes I have seen, so maybe it would need more fixation than the traditional method - welding ??? Judging from this I would assume that both the hilt of Alam Shah`s keris and my version of it are actually modern-made single hilts that can be either normally attached or maybe even welded to a keris blade to "style it" into a keris sajen. I will see if I get around to taking some pictures later.

23rd February 2005, 05:52 AM	#5
rasdan Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kuala Lumpur Posts: 369	Hi guys, IMHO these hilts are of recent manufacture. I recently seen another one in Kg. Baru Antique shop KL. It looks down right similar to the example in the book. In Alam Shah's example, i think its an old blade fitted later on with the hilt. The inscription also looks recent as well. I'm not sure if the inscription is Koranic but if it is, it rather ironic to have it on a blade with a putut hilt which is "unislamic".

23rd February 2005, 06:59 AM	#6
rahman Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 84	I think Alam Shah has said the inscription is talismanic rather than Quranic. Alam -- what exactly does it say? Is it in Malay?