A keris from Buton

BluErf · 28th March 2006, 01:31 PM

Ok, I think many of you would recognize where this came from...

The reason why I bought this was because this keris represents a rather unique form that could be pin-pointed to a particular locale. It is quite an exciting notion to me.

This keris show-cases the trade in keris blades and parts that has been going on all these while, and also, the exchange of ideas and styles from around the region due to trade.

Buton island is along the trade routes between the Maluku spice islands and Kalimantan (including the port city of Banjarmasin). Buton and the rest of Sulawesi was known to have traded with China and Java, exporting natural resources, and importing, among other things, vases and earthenware from China.

This keris has a hilt from Banjarmasin, a blade that sits tall in the sheath, like Malay kerises, a sampir (top sheath) that resembles the style favoured by Straits Bugis, and yet, it has the characteristic Sulawesi bulge in the throat of the sampir and the batang, and a Sulawesi sepokal blade.

http://www.kampungnet.com.sg/modules...view_album.php

VVV · 28th March 2006, 02:01 PM

A true beauty!

It's easy to see that the hilt is from Banjarmasin.
But how do you know that the Keris is from Buton?
I must have missed this great Keris completely, wherever you found it?

Michael

BluErf · 29th March 2006, 01:15 PM

Hi Michael,

The information came from the seller. I think he was quite sure of the source, otherwise he would not have attributed the keris to this nearly unknown island. And after looking at the keris and its stylistic execution, I'm pretty sure it is correct.

It's sourced from good ol' ebay.

Alam Shah · 29th March 2006, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BluErf

Hi Michael,

The information came from the seller. I think he was quite sure of the source, otherwise he would not have attributed the keris to this nearly unknown island. And after looking at the keris and its stylistic execution, I'm pretty sure it is correct.

It's sourced from good ol' ebay.

But it looks only half as good from eBay photos and previous condition.
With BluErf's TLC, it looks super now.

drdavid · 29th March 2006, 11:40 PM

Hi Bluerf and Alam
this is a very beginner question but can you explain the offset of the handle to the blade here, I am used to seeing the handle in the same plane as the axis of the blade.
thanks
DrD

BluErf · 30th March 2006, 01:21 PM

Hi David,

The angle of the hilt should be like this in order for the keris to be gripped properly.

The thumb and forefinger pinches on the picetan area on the keris blade while the remaining 3 fingers is wrapped round the hilt. When held parallel to the ground, the flat of the blade faces up.

It's the same concept as modern-day fencing sword pistol grips.

BluErf · 30th March 2006, 01:41 PM

Pic to illustrate.

Alam Shah · 31st March 2006, 12:47 AM

Hi drdavid,

See the pictures here. Note: Left-hander's grip. (right hand holding camera).

http://www.kampungnet.com.sg/modules...view_album.php

Battara · 31st March 2006, 01:30 AM

BluErf,

the hilt looks like low grade diamonds over gold washed copper. Am I right?

BluErf · 31st March 2006, 10:22 AM

Hi Battara,

Yep, its all rough-cut non-jewellery-grade diamonds, called "intarn" locally. Jewellery-grade diamonds are refered to as "brillian". The effect of the 'massed' intarns are still quite nice under bright lights. Kind of like a glitter-ball in a disco.

The base metal plates could be brass, I think. But you could be right that it's copper.

Battara · 1st April 2006, 09:16 PM

Thank you. Yes, brass would also give a greenish hue in places as well (the copper in it).

28th March 2006, 01:31 PM	#1
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	A keris from Buton Ok, I think many of you would recognize where this came from... The reason why I bought this was because this keris represents a rather unique form that could be pin-pointed to a particular locale. It is quite an exciting notion to me. This keris show-cases the trade in keris blades and parts that has been going on all these while, and also, the exchange of ideas and styles from around the region due to trade. Buton island is along the trade routes between the Maluku spice islands and Kalimantan (including the port city of Banjarmasin). Buton and the rest of Sulawesi was known to have traded with China and Java, exporting natural resources, and importing, among other things, vases and earthenware from China. This keris has a hilt from Banjarmasin, a blade that sits tall in the sheath, like Malay kerises, a sampir (top sheath) that resembles the style favoured by Straits Bugis, and yet, it has the characteristic Sulawesi bulge in the throat of the sampir and the batang, and a Sulawesi sepokal blade. http://www.kampungnet.com.sg/modules...view_album.php Attached Images

30th March 2006, 01:41 PM	#7
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Pic to illustrate. Attached Images

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28th March 2006, 02:01 PM	#2
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	A true beauty! It's easy to see that the hilt is from Banjarmasin. But how do you know that the Keris is from Buton? I must have missed this great Keris completely, wherever you found it? Michael

29th March 2006, 01:15 PM	#3
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Hi Michael, The information came from the seller. I think he was quite sure of the source, otherwise he would not have attributed the keris to this nearly unknown island. And after looking at the keris and its stylistic execution, I'm pretty sure it is correct. It's sourced from good ol' ebay.

29th March 2006, 11:40 PM	#5
drdavid Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 372	Hi Bluerf and Alam this is a very beginner question but can you explain the offset of the handle to the blade here, I am used to seeing the handle in the same plane as the axis of the blade. thanks DrD

30th March 2006, 01:21 PM	#6
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Hi David, The angle of the hilt should be like this in order for the keris to be gripped properly. The thumb and forefinger pinches on the picetan area on the keris blade while the remaining 3 fingers is wrapped round the hilt. When held parallel to the ground, the flat of the blade faces up. It's the same concept as modern-day fencing sword pistol grips.

31st March 2006, 12:47 AM	#8
Alam Shah Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,248	Hi drdavid, See the pictures here. Note: Left-hander's grip. (right hand holding camera). http://www.kampungnet.com.sg/modules...view_album.php

31st March 2006, 01:30 AM	#9
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	BluErf, the hilt looks like low grade diamonds over gold washed copper. Am I right?

31st March 2006, 10:22 AM	#10
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Hi Battara, Yep, its all rough-cut non-jewellery-grade diamonds, called "intarn" locally. Jewellery-grade diamonds are refered to as "brillian". The effect of the 'massed' intarns are still quite nice under bright lights. Kind of like a glitter-ball in a disco. The base metal plates could be brass, I think. But you could be right that it's copper.

1st April 2006, 09:16 PM	#11
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Thank you. Yes, brass would also give a greenish hue in places as well (the copper in it).