Keris Handle / Hilts Appreciation

[BluErf]

I love nginden, but increasingly, perhaps with age, I'm beginning to like quieter grains. For a Javanese hilt, this is my preference. Some grains, mature deep colour, warm and steady, deep in thought.

[BluErf]

Sorry for the wrong orientation of the hilt.

[rasjid]

Thank you Kai for your comment and additional pictures.

I like the nginden material as well.
Few keris people that I asked, they also like the nginden hilt but the information I've got for kraton pieces (please correct me if I'm wrong - or some one get access with kraton pieces) are plain, shiny material - no nginden, no 'puser', nothing. Just clean, no mark. This is the reason I'm asking for opinion.

As my previous post in regards stones, the deep colour, crystall clear are highly priced. So as Kai mention in his post, quiter grains - deep colour are the choosen material?
Personally I agree about this matter.

Anyone ? opinion?

thanks

[A. G. Maisey]

Rasjid, I feel that perhaps you might need to be a little more specific in respect of "kraton pieces".

Exactly what do you mean?

Many years ago I was fortunate enough to handle a number of keris that belonged to the Surakarta Karaton. Some were Karaton pusakas, some were keris that had been gifted to various members of the royal family, some were keris that were identified as being for future gifts. My memory is that none of these keris had dress that was remarkable in any way, and many of the keris were very, very ordinary from the point of view of art appreciation.

However, I have also seen the some dress keris worn by various members of the Surakarta Karaton heirarchy, and some of these were sufficient to send you blind.On the other hand some others were quite plain.

Different keris dress can be worn for different occasions, and different dress can be deemed suitable for wear by different ranks. Thus "karaton pieces", or "karaton keris" is not really enough to base a comment on.

[rasjid]

Hi Alan, yes, I agree with your previous posting that I have to clarify about the Kraton pieces.

I'm trying to get general preference about the wood material from Keris collectors. I myself prefer the nginden type after a while I prefer the clean type material (as Kai, mention - maybe quiter grain) which in fact will improve the overal worongko and handle suitability.

My points for choosing the tayuman wood material (only); as previous post that quality of the carving at its best - please comment:
1. The handle height should be Not too tall and not too short (nice to look at) which shows the personality for the owner.
2. prefer quiter grain wood material, smooth no marks.
3. The colour should be darker than the worongko.
4. If the handle has the Selut, the total height (point#1) will affect the total appearance thus normally we choose a lower handle to compensate additional height of the selut. May be ladrang type more suitable for handle with selut? Comment? anyone?

Thank you Alan for your addtional info in regards your experience in handling some keris from Surakarta Karaton. I was told that Karaton pieces own by the Prince is similar with your explanation; in regards the handle -> its plain grain, no "puser" ; which supporting your last post as well.

Thanks again.

rasjid

[A. G. Maisey]

My comments in response:-

1)--- yes, the hilt needs to be in correct proportion to the wrongko, but the wrongko itself is perhaps more important as a match to physique, character, age & rank of the wearer. Thus, it starts with the wrongko, and the hilt matches the wrongko.

2)--- if we are talking about the hilt alone, my preference will always be for the most outstanding grain available, however, if we are talking about the hilt as a part of a complete ensemble, the hilt will need to match or complement the wrongko, this could mean a dead plain grain, it could mean a material other than tayuman, it could mean anything.

3)--- As a general rule, yes, but exceptions do occur; for example, cendana wangi will virtually always be lighter than the wrongko, but it can be an outstanding hilt material, and is highly prized. Its a matter of taste and overall appearance.

4)--- Yes, correct, ideally a hilt should be carved specifically for a selut, and yes, a selut does look better with a ladrang wrongko.

[rasjid]

On addition to my previous point:

May be the handle "weight" also play an important role because when valuating Keris, I also holding the keris and feel the weight distribution throught out the blade and "tang ting" as well. Any comment anyone?

I always prefer the balance distribution somewhere around the tip of sogokan area. I have experience with new blade made by pak Subandi - solo which I supply my own high carbon steel for the core blade. The blade is too heavy from normal keris (core too thick) but finally I have a big/thick Solo ivory to match) and better weight distribution.

thank you.
rasjid