New Keris/Keris baru

dbhmgb · 21st May 2012, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

The vast bulk of old keris were never produced as something special, and most certainly were not produced by empus, nor with any spiritual intent.

Alan,

Thank you for your reply - very enlightening. I quoted the one line because it is something I don't think I have ever read before. For me, it is quite profound and produced an attitude adjustment. There is quite a bit of "romanticism" enmeshed in all the keris lore and sorting the wheat from the chaff is part of the learning process and makes it all the more interesting.

Dan

A. G. Maisey · 21st May 2012, 01:17 AM

Dan, the romantic aspect of I think perhaps all edged weapon collecting is something that I think of as "the Silk Road Syndrome" .

Its the old "Sun Comes up Like Thunder" --- Raffles --- Kipling --- Lord Jim thing that some of us --- me included --- have floating around in the back of our minds.

It can take a few different forms, and these forms will usually reflect our own personal characteristics, but at base its a form of escapism --- and there ain't nuttin wrong with that. Helps us cope with the insanity of modern life.

This attitude does seem to be extremely prevalent when it occurs in partnership with the keris, and it can be noted not only with collectors in the western world, but also in Jawa, where they have their own version of reference points --- obviously Kipling is not going to work in Surakarta.

dbhmgb · 21st May 2012, 01:41 AM

Alan,

As a collector by nature, every interest that I have has a romantic allure of some nature. I think it's a healthy aspect and part of the joy of collecting - it varies by subject and the keris is not found wanting on the scales! In my opinion, the romantic aspect needs to be tempered with a realistic approach and knowledge of the item, though some folks don't seem to care.

I love your analogy - it's perfect!

Dan

drdavid · 23rd May 2012, 10:54 AM

Hello and welcome to the forum Ismarsodo,
thank you for posting your very elegant piece to start this thread. Please excuse my ignorance, I am a novice ....could you explain the term 'kamardikan' for me. Does it refer to a specifically modern time frame of construction or is it more the modern style/nature of the piece. Many thanks
DrD

Gustav · 23rd May 2012, 11:24 AM

The same question two weeks ago, with a correct answer:

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=15541

A. G. Maisey · 23rd May 2012, 11:41 AM

Actually Sukarno and Hatta declared Independence from Dutch overlordship on 17 August 1945.

Indonesians regard this as the gaining of freedom, or "merdeka".

The word "kamardikan" derives from "merdeka", so a kamardikan keris is one dating from the era of Merdeka, ie, after 1945.

It is a relatively recent term, coined to give a legitimate classification to recently produced keris.

Jean · 23rd May 2012, 08:07 PM

And I would add that a kamardikan kris should normally be a good quality kris, so it does not include the fake or replica krisses

Regards

21st May 2012, 01:17 AM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,048	Dan, the romantic aspect of I think perhaps all edged weapon collecting is something that I think of as "the Silk Road Syndrome" . Its the old "Sun Comes up Like Thunder" --- Raffles --- Kipling --- Lord Jim thing that some of us --- me included --- have floating around in the back of our minds. It can take a few different forms, and these forms will usually reflect our own personal characteristics, but at base its a form of escapism --- and there ain't nuttin wrong with that. Helps us cope with the insanity of modern life. This attitude does seem to be extremely prevalent when it occurs in partnership with the keris, and it can be noted not only with collectors in the western world, but also in Jawa, where they have their own version of reference points --- obviously Kipling is not going to work in Surakarta.

21st May 2012, 01:41 AM	#3
dbhmgb Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Maryland, USA Posts: 112	Alan, As a collector by nature, every interest that I have has a romantic allure of some nature. I think it's a healthy aspect and part of the joy of collecting - it varies by subject and the keris is not found wanting on the scales! In my opinion, the romantic aspect needs to be tempered with a realistic approach and knowledge of the item, though some folks don't seem to care. I love your analogy - it's perfect! Dan

23rd May 2012, 10:54 AM	#4
drdavid Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 372	Hello and welcome to the forum Ismarsodo, thank you for posting your very elegant piece to start this thread. Please excuse my ignorance, I am a novice ....could you explain the term 'kamardikan' for me. Does it refer to a specifically modern time frame of construction or is it more the modern style/nature of the piece. Many thanks DrD

23rd May 2012, 11:24 AM	#5
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,295	The same question two weeks ago, with a correct answer: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=15541

23rd May 2012, 11:41 AM	#6
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,048	Actually Sukarno and Hatta declared Independence from Dutch overlordship on 17 August 1945. Indonesians regard this as the gaining of freedom, or "merdeka". The word "kamardikan" derives from "merdeka", so a kamardikan keris is one dating from the era of Merdeka, ie, after 1945. It is a relatively recent term, coined to give a legitimate classification to recently produced keris.

23rd May 2012, 08:07 PM	#7
Jean Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,740	And I would add that a kamardikan kris should normally be a good quality kris, so it does not include the fake or replica krisses Regards