Sele from Makassar (Keris Bugis)

[kai]

Hello all,

Thanks for the continued input!

I agree that this is a really weird piece (and very likely a mix from different sources). I kinda like odd-balls though...

I'm not looking for high praise but rather would like to understand why this very basic keris ended up like it did and how this relates to local use/customs/etc.

Originally Posted by possum

looks like the blade, the hilt, hilt cup and the sheath are from different origins. from the photos ... looks like the sheath should be bigger than the one you have, the hilt should be smaller.

Yes, I agree that the scabbard is pretty much rubbish and was never meant to be worn openly. It's also the youngest part of the ensemble with the "pendokok" probably a close second. The hulu seems to be of decent quality though. Can we ascertain that the blade is/was Javanese?

keris bugis is definitely not ....

I have typical keris Bugis and the difference is obvious, of course. However, can we really rule out that this blade got modified and used in Sulawesi?

it is extremely rare for a keris to be "lok 3". usually keris lok 3 is used by womens. it is easier to conceal them.

I'm certain this blade had more luk originally. However, the way the blade got reshaped seems to suggest that concealment may have been the main aim, doesn't it? The scabbard may support this but, considering its doubtful status, I admit that this is a weak point.

Any additional insights?

Regards,
Kai