Keris Coteng

maxbliss888 · 13th June 2015, 04:44 AM

I know many collectors here prefers to have strong blades and strong Keris.

Please bear with me. It seems that there are differences in the Coteng carvings as seen below. I was told that besides Wooden hilt, silver holt, there is also Coteng hilt made in Brass. Anyone seen Coteng hilt using other materials?

maxbliss888 · 13th June 2015, 04:53 AM

i have spoken with fellow Thai Keris collectors and they have confirmed that vintage Coteng comes mainly from Yala, Songkla or Narathiwat. However, I was told that one would not be able to see them so often in these cities now.

Another question that I have asked is with regards to why most Coteng is relatively shorter compare with the Longer Tajong and it seems is the result of the preferences from the region as those who prefer Coteng prefer it to be discreet. I have asked further why the conditions of the Coteng is not as well kept as the other Keris and the answer is that these Cotengs were used during their days and were not merely display Keris...

Just wanted to share what I have heard...

BluErf · 13th June 2015, 05:20 AM

Good authentic cotengs! Glad you went to the right dealer and bought the right stuff. Well done!

The age of these kerises are very difficult to ascertain. They are probably pre-20th century, but even then, hard to be sure.

I have the idea that silver covered coteng are generally younger than the old plainer wooden ones. Tajongs and cotengs are related, and at some point shared a common ancestor. However, they evolved along their own paths and became distinct subforms. Hence, nit all cotengs are older than every tajong you see.

In terms of upper limits on age, the earliest coteng/tajong specimens found are probably around 2-300yrs old. So the proto-coteng probably came to the north Malay peninsula region around 16th-17th century. That's just theory though.

maxbliss888 · 13th June 2015, 11:42 AM

The Tajong are also getting harder to find here in Thailand as many have restored new handles.

Have you travelled to Trengganu? Are there many antique Tajong or Coteng there?

BluErf · 13th June 2015, 02:23 PM

Good ones are mostly in private collections. Mediocre ones for sale can still be found, but even then, they are getting harder to get and expensive.

maxbliss888 · 16th June 2015, 01:16 AM

Another Coteng to share..

maxbliss888 · 16th June 2015, 02:08 AM

There are many variations of Coteng. This example of Coteng has a sharper beak compare to the earlier..

13th June 2015, 04:44 AM	#1
maxbliss888 Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Bangkok Posts: 150	Coteng I know many collectors here prefers to have strong blades and strong Keris. Please bear with me. It seems that there are differences in the Coteng carvings as seen below. I was told that besides Wooden hilt, silver holt, there is also Coteng hilt made in Brass. Anyone seen Coteng hilt using other materials? Attached Images

13th June 2015, 04:53 AM	#2
maxbliss888 Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Bangkok Posts: 150	Coteng Hilt i have spoken with fellow Thai Keris collectors and they have confirmed that vintage Coteng comes mainly from Yala, Songkla or Narathiwat. However, I was told that one would not be able to see them so often in these cities now. Another question that I have asked is with regards to why most Coteng is relatively shorter compare with the Longer Tajong and it seems is the result of the preferences from the region as those who prefer Coteng prefer it to be discreet. I have asked further why the conditions of the Coteng is not as well kept as the other Keris and the answer is that these Cotengs were used during their days and were not merely display Keris... Just wanted to share what I have heard... Attached Images

13th June 2015, 11:42 AM	#4
maxbliss888 Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Bangkok Posts: 150	Coteng The Tajong are also getting harder to find here in Thailand as many have restored new handles. Have you travelled to Trengganu? Are there many antique Tajong or Coteng there?

16th June 2015, 01:16 AM	#6
maxbliss888 Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Bangkok Posts: 150	Coteng to share Another Coteng to share.. Attached Images

16th June 2015, 02:08 AM	#7
maxbliss888 Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Bangkok Posts: 150	Coteng variations There are many variations of Coteng. This example of Coteng has a sharper beak compare to the earlier.. Attached Images

13th June 2015, 05:20 AM	#3
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Good authentic cotengs! Glad you went to the right dealer and bought the right stuff. Well done! The age of these kerises are very difficult to ascertain. They are probably pre-20th century, but even then, hard to be sure. I have the idea that silver covered coteng are generally younger than the old plainer wooden ones. Tajongs and cotengs are related, and at some point shared a common ancestor. However, they evolved along their own paths and became distinct subforms. Hence, nit all cotengs are older than every tajong you see. In terms of upper limits on age, the earliest coteng/tajong specimens found are probably around 2-300yrs old. So the proto-coteng probably came to the north Malay peninsula region around 16th-17th century. That's just theory though.

13th June 2015, 02:23 PM	#5
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Good ones are mostly in private collections. Mediocre ones for sale can still be found, but even then, they are getting harder to get and expensive.