Minang Bahari Keris

[kai]

Hello Suhaimi,

Thanks for sharing and congrats! I love the stylized and well-worn hilt as well as the other gorgeous fittings...

This is a nice Minang pc that I have, The minangs are found in both Sumatra & the state of Negri Sembilan in Peninsula M'sia. Where this originated from in uncertain to me.

The blade is of the Malay Alang form.

Is this based on the relatively straight blade profile? The base features look quite compatible with a Sumatran origin IMVHO? How well does the blade fit the scabbard?

It comes in a few variety, and this particular form is known as the Bahari due to its size which is slightly longer then the Anak Alang form.

At 11.5 inches, this blade doesn't seem to be longer than most Anak Alang I've seen. Also, aren't most Bahari from Sumatra and most Anak Alang from the Malay peninsula? (I thought I understood that the B vs. AA classification was more based on blade style rather than on length only?)

The blade is interesting as it has been tampered with along only one side of the blade.

How does it look on the other side? Could you please show close-ups of the upper third? At the moment this does look more like an unevenly exposed core to me rather than differential hardening of a single edge but this impression may well be wrong.

Regards,
Kai

[BigG]

Originally Posted by kai

Is this based on the relatively straight blade profile? The base features look quite compatible with a Sumatran origin IMVHO? How well does the blade fit the scabbard?

What I know is as follows; The Minang Origin is based on the overall looks especially that of the fittings. The minangs hav a very distinctive style of their own.
The straight bladed profile of this style is mainly found in the Peninsula, Riau islands and southern Sumatra. It is usually named under the catch all term of a keris Bngkinang by the Javanese. It comes in many stylised forms. Wholly straight such as this or stylised curved blades almost like the curve that you see in a Bugis Sepokal blade.. The distinctive features are at the base... usually wth the comma like feature and the ricikans..

The blade fits the sheath well although there is a bit of lossening, but the this is expected as the cross piece is made out of horn.

Originally Posted by kai

At 11.5 inches, this blade doesn't seem to be longer than most Anak Alang I've seen. Also, aren't most Bahari from Sumatra and most Anak Alang from the Malay peninsula? (I thought I understood that the B vs. AA classification was more based on blade style rather than on length only?)

From what I have been told.. the Alang family is diffrentiated by the length of the blades. Wth the anak (child) Alang being the shortest. This is followed by the Bahari. From here on there is a bit of a muddle. Wths some sources telling me that the Bahari and Alang is of the same length while others saying that the alang is langer then the Bahari just short of it being a true Keris Panjang... which the grand daddy of this form...

As far as differentiations in styling, I have seen far more wonderful variations in the peninsula then I have in Sumatra forms. I'll post a variation of this that later on. But to be perfectly honest wth you, I am really uncertain about the B vs AA stuff thaat you have mentioned and have never been told of this B vs A distinction being based on regional variation.

Originally Posted by kai

How does it look on the other side? Could you please show close-ups of the upper third? At the moment this does look more like an unevenly exposed core to me rather than differential hardening of a single edge but this impression may well be wrong.

The otherside is about the same wth only one side darker at the edge then the rest of the blade face. If time permits I'll show the upper 3rd.

I bought this original piece from the Malay Art Gallery some years back.. Adny, the propriertor had told me that he believes that the uneven effect is the result of differential hardening. He recommended that the blade be left as is and not be warangan treated so as to show that distinctiveness of it whch was one the reasons that I was attracted to it. I agreed with it. If you notice the base and abit more elsewhere, there are many fine crystaline features on the blade known as Miang (flecks) a much prized feature in Malay kerisology.

[BigG]

Originally Posted by kai

Hello Suhaimi,
Thanks for sharing and congrats! I love the stylized and well-worn hilt as well as the other gorgeous fittings...
Kai

Great minds do think alike...

I too was attracted by the things that you have mentioned. The gold wash based especially, thats just pure vanilla.. although I am particularly drawn by the aura of strength and formidability of kerises that have prominent "fighting blade" qltys, ths is one of the few pcs that I own whch does not. It is probably meant as status wear for a minor member of the aristocracy or the gentry?

I am not into Ivory & molar fittings... but this one is in my opinion succintly atrractive without it being over the top... just luvly and just an inch well short of being saccharine sweet..