Ancestor hilt or tourist piece?

A. G. Maisey · 16th September 2010, 01:58 AM

When we consider the keris, or anything else for that matter, we tend to look at it in terms of what we know to be true at the present time. Where the dress for keris is concerned we are accustomed to seeing wrongkos and hilts that have been crafted by artisan craftsmen with usually very high levels of skill.

But consider this:- in some societies in Maritime SE Asia, even up to recent times, the dress of the weapon was crafted by the owner. The hilts in particular were a homage to ancestors, or a personal hope for protection of deities or spirits, and the skill shown in carving these hilts was an advertisement for the personal qualities of the carver . This advertisement was noted by women as an indication of his suitability as a husband.

Even now I have known people in Bali to carve their own keris hilt, and in Jawa for people to carve their own wrongko.

This keris under discussion could well be a composite that has been put together for one reason or another, however , the hilt could well be an owner's personal effort to provide something usable. Once you move away from the influence of the kratons it seems to me that almost anything goes in respect of keris dress.

Rick · 16th September 2010, 02:49 AM

I'd like to mention that there are no 'Experts' here; only students .

A. G. Maisey · 18th September 2010, 12:47 AM

Here are a few more primitive style hilts.

#5 is from a pelecok, I have no idea what the other hilts are from.

Marcokeris · 18th September 2010, 07:16 AM

Two others primitive (batak) styles

mrwizard · 18th September 2010, 12:15 PM

Thanks for showing those great examples. I think i'm beginning to like this kind of hilt style... it's somewhat
more - how to call it - "personal"

Best Regards,
Thilo

Freddy · 18th September 2010, 02:21 PM

I have a knife with a handle which might fit this discussion. I bought it quite some time ago as a 'Sasak knife'.

David · 18th September 2010, 04:51 PM

Gentlemen, i'd just like focus this discussion just a little back to ancestor hilts that are intended for keris. I realize Sirek and i opened the door for this when we posted our hilts trying to determine if Mr. Wizard's example was originally intended to be for a keris. After seeing Alan's grouping i'd say it is very possible that Mr. W's hilt was indeed always meant for a keris. Does anyone have more of these hilts that are been used on keris?

18th September 2010, 12:47 AM	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,134	Here are a few more primitive style hilts. #5 is from a pelecok, I have no idea what the other hilts are from. Attached Images

18th September 2010, 07:16 AM	#4
Marcokeris Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Italy Posts: 928	Two others primitive (batak) styles Attached Images

16th September 2010, 01:58 AM	#1
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,134	When we consider the keris, or anything else for that matter, we tend to look at it in terms of what we know to be true at the present time. Where the dress for keris is concerned we are accustomed to seeing wrongkos and hilts that have been crafted by artisan craftsmen with usually very high levels of skill. But consider this:- in some societies in Maritime SE Asia, even up to recent times, the dress of the weapon was crafted by the owner. The hilts in particular were a homage to ancestors, or a personal hope for protection of deities or spirits, and the skill shown in carving these hilts was an advertisement for the personal qualities of the carver . This advertisement was noted by women as an indication of his suitability as a husband. Even now I have known people in Bali to carve their own keris hilt, and in Jawa for people to carve their own wrongko. This keris under discussion could well be a composite that has been put together for one reason or another, however , the hilt could well be an owner's personal effort to provide something usable. Once you move away from the influence of the kratons it seems to me that almost anything goes in respect of keris dress.

16th September 2010, 02:49 AM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,378	I'd like to mention that there are no 'Experts' here; only students .

18th September 2010, 12:15 PM	#5
mrwizard Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Dortmund, Germany Posts: 102	Thanks for showing those great examples. I think i'm beginning to like this kind of hilt style... it's somewhat more - how to call it - "personal" Best Regards, Thilo

18th September 2010, 02:21 PM	#6
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	I have a knife with a handle which might fit this discussion. I bought it quite some time ago as a 'Sasak knife'.

18th September 2010, 04:51 PM	#7
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,261	Gentlemen, i'd just like focus this discussion just a little back to ancestor hilts that are intended for keris. I realize Sirek and i opened the door for this when we posted our hilts trying to determine if Mr. Wizard's example was originally intended to be for a keris. After seeing Alan's grouping i'd say it is very possible that Mr. W's hilt was indeed always meant for a keris. Does anyone have more of these hilts that are been used on keris?