Keris Bugis?

Caedo · 4th February 2012, 07:03 PM

My apologies for the photo quality. I will look for an opportunity to take better ones, but for now, this is as good as it gets. The fittings on the sheath are brass and are embossed with foliage (top) and tigers (bottom). There is definite evidence that the mouth of the sheath has been built up with something to make a better fit. I couldn't tell you what the mendak is made from, but it isn't in good shape. May have been silver plated? Looks like base metal now. The whole thing is admittedly rather humble, but it is mine.

It came to me through the son of a gas company engineer who lived somewhere in Indonesia in the 1970s. It was explained to me that he traveled from island to island as part of his job, and the keris was most likely acquired in a village well off the beaten path. It sat mostly untouched until last year.

Thank you for your insights. As I said, I'll see if I can get better pictures. Are their any specific portions of the keris that would be helpful see in greater detail?

Jean · 5th February 2012, 09:07 AM

If the keris really stayed untouched since the 1970's, then the hilt is not made from bone as it would show some pitting, it rather looks from marine ivory to me. The blade is not Bugis IMO, and East Java is an option.
Best regards

Sajen · 5th February 2012, 10:43 AM

Agree with Jean, hilt look like marine ivory. The metal fittings at the sheath could be cut out from a pendok and the buntut of the sheath look not like the original or first one.
But still a good first keris!

Regards,

Detlef

Henk · 5th February 2012, 11:58 AM

Put in my two cents.

Metal fittings aren't cut out from a pendok but made for this sheath. The pictures are not good enough for me to judge the buntut.

The ukiran is an ivory one as mentioned but the mendak is a replacement IMHO. It looks more like a javanese mendak.

The keris isn't a sturdy Bugis blade but has more the feature of a javanese blade. But as we know keris in that region were also forged after Javanese examples which where highly apreciated.But javanese blades were also subject of trading by the Buginese sailors.

I would say we look at an Sumatran keris. I would certainly leave it as it is.
The only thing one can consider to change is the mendak.

Caedo · 9th February 2012, 11:49 PM

Thanks again for the comments and suggestions. It is my understanding that Bugis blades are usually almost hexagonal in cross-section, which is why I didn't think this blade matched the dress. The grain in the buntut is hard to make out due to its narrowness and the grooves carved into it. It is definitely a few shades lighter in color than the rest of the sheath, however, but whether that is due to different woods or different finishes is beyond me.

I will indeed look into replacing the mendak.

4th February 2012, 07:03 PM	#1
Caedo Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Tennessee Posts: 11	My apologies for the photo quality. I will look for an opportunity to take better ones, but for now, this is as good as it gets. The fittings on the sheath are brass and are embossed with foliage (top) and tigers (bottom). There is definite evidence that the mouth of the sheath has been built up with something to make a better fit. I couldn't tell you what the mendak is made from, but it isn't in good shape. May have been silver plated? Looks like base metal now. The whole thing is admittedly rather humble, but it is mine. It came to me through the son of a gas company engineer who lived somewhere in Indonesia in the 1970s. It was explained to me that he traveled from island to island as part of his job, and the keris was most likely acquired in a village well off the beaten path. It sat mostly untouched until last year. Thank you for your insights. As I said, I'll see if I can get better pictures. Are their any specific portions of the keris that would be helpful see in greater detail?

5th February 2012, 09:07 AM	#2
Jean Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,740	If the keris really stayed untouched since the 1970's, then the hilt is not made from bone as it would show some pitting, it rather looks from marine ivory to me. The blade is not Bugis IMO, and East Java is an option. Best regards

5th February 2012, 10:43 AM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,165	Agree with Jean, hilt look like marine ivory. The metal fittings at the sheath could be cut out from a pendok and the buntut of the sheath look not like the original or first one. But still a good first keris! Regards, Detlef

5th February 2012, 11:58 AM	#4
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Put in my two cents. Metal fittings aren't cut out from a pendok but made for this sheath. The pictures are not good enough for me to judge the buntut. The ukiran is an ivory one as mentioned but the mendak is a replacement IMHO. It looks more like a javanese mendak. The keris isn't a sturdy Bugis blade but has more the feature of a javanese blade. But as we know keris in that region were also forged after Javanese examples which where highly apreciated.But javanese blades were also subject of trading by the Buginese sailors. I would say we look at an Sumatran keris. I would certainly leave it as it is. The only thing one can consider to change is the mendak.

9th February 2012, 11:49 PM	#5
Caedo Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Tennessee Posts: 11	Thanks again for the comments and suggestions. It is my understanding that Bugis blades are usually almost hexagonal in cross-section, which is why I didn't think this blade matched the dress. The grain in the buntut is hard to make out due to its narrowness and the grooves carved into it. It is definitely a few shades lighter in color than the rest of the sheath, however, but whether that is due to different woods or different finishes is beyond me. I will indeed look into replacing the mendak.