Keris Coteng

maxbliss888 · 29th June 2015, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BluErf

I meant good enough to wear around in the kampung, but not fine enough for the higher social strata. Sorry, this sounds politically incorrect, but that's the way art is. The centre of wealth and political power breeds high excellence in artistic expression which form the pinnacles of art that ordinary folks copy, emulate and aspire to own/consume. Like all facsimiles, definition is lost in the process.

If this is the case, this old one will not make it to higher social strata as well...

My guess is that it depends on which angle you prefer to see it. Keris as a weapon or Keris as a status symbol...

BluErf · 29th June 2015, 08:20 AM

Yes, indeed.

To be even more provocative, some kerises are not good enough for the social higher strata, and at the same time, they make poor weapons too. So what do we make of these kerises?

"Old" not equals "good" or "bad"
"New" not equals "bad" or "good"
Likewise for "simple" and "complex"

But I think we have digressed a bit frm the original point I wanted to make, but I suspect was not conveyed adequately - that a "kampung" quality hilt does not adhere very strictly to archetypal forms. You get all sorts of variations and unusual features. From my experience, it is usually a futile exercise trying to classify these examples definitively. Sometimes, they are just amalgamations of influences and even the whims and fancies of the maker.

So this is to be read in relation to your question/statement - this looks like a tajong, but is actually a coteng.

The first rule of collecting is to collect what you like. Happy learning about the keris, and then collecting it!

maxbliss888 · 29th June 2015, 12:22 PM

Another of ɱყ friend's Coteng

maxbliss888 · 29th June 2015, 12:32 PM

Staying in Thailand has allowed me to build a small network and I have managed to get to know more Keris collectors

maxbliss888 · 29th June 2015, 12:52 PM

Another collector's Keris

BluErf · 29th June 2015, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxbliss888

Another collector's Keris

These two are very good too. The sheath forms are top notch.

BluErf · 29th June 2015, 01:53 PM

I have a piece in my collection which has baffled me for a while. It has features of a tajong, like elaborate crown, beard, and a more abstract anthropomorphic form. But instead of a regular tajong sheath, it was affixed to a coteng style sheath which was larger than usual. The blade is what my group of collectors here in Sg refer to as "Chenok" style, after the place the form is said to originate from.

Can your collector friends share their opinion on the origin of this keris pls? Tks

BluErf · 29th June 2015, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxbliss888

Another of ɱყ friend's Coteng

Excellent pieces these 3! Tks for sharing. It's difficult to see pieces of these calibre.

29th June 2015, 12:22 PM	#3
maxbliss888 Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Bangkok Posts: 150	Coteng Another of ɱყ friend's Coteng Attached Images

29th June 2015, 12:32 PM	#4
maxbliss888 Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Bangkok Posts: 150	Coteng Staying in Thailand has allowed me to build a small network and I have managed to get to know more Keris collectors Attached Images

29th June 2015, 12:52 PM	#5
maxbliss888 Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Bangkok Posts: 150	Coteng Another collector's Keris Attached Images

29th June 2015, 01:53 PM	#7
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	I have a piece in my collection which has baffled me for a while. It has features of a tajong, like elaborate crown, beard, and a more abstract anthropomorphic form. But instead of a regular tajong sheath, it was affixed to a coteng style sheath which was larger than usual. The blade is what my group of collectors here in Sg refer to as "Chenok" style, after the place the form is said to originate from. Can your collector friends share their opinion on the origin of this keris pls? Tks Attached Images Last edited by BluErf; 29th June 2015 at 02:04 PM. Reason: Typo

29th June 2015, 08:20 AM	#2
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Yes, indeed. To be even more provocative, some kerises are not good enough for the social higher strata, and at the same time, they make poor weapons too. So what do we make of these kerises? "Old" not equals "good" or "bad" "New" not equals "bad" or "good" Likewise for "simple" and "complex" But I think we have digressed a bit frm the original point I wanted to make, but I suspect was not conveyed adequately - that a "kampung" quality hilt does not adhere very strictly to archetypal forms. You get all sorts of variations and unusual features. From my experience, it is usually a futile exercise trying to classify these examples definitively. Sometimes, they are just amalgamations of influences and even the whims and fancies of the maker. So this is to be read in relation to your question/statement - this looks like a tajong, but is actually a coteng. The first rule of collecting is to collect what you like. Happy learning about the keris, and then collecting it!