Java kris for discussion

GIO · 4th November 2016, 06:01 PM

The blade without hilt seems to have a rather unusual dapor towards the tip. The blade was bent and then re-aligned ? Or it is because of the angle of the photo ?

A. G. Maisey · 4th November 2016, 09:25 PM

The blue base colour of the wrongko indicates that it is the prerogative of a Penewu, the leader of 1000 men in the old days.

The use of wayang characters can be seen as a personal decorative preference on the one hand, or it can be seen as a connection to the wayang. These characters are the Punakawans, the moral lessons that are taught through the wayang are to traditional Javanese people something like the moral lessons taught through scripture, so if you have these Punakawans right there where they can be clearly seen, it triggers a thought process that generates the entire story that involves the Punakawans. Javanese people love the Punakawans, and seeing them will generate a nice feeling, maybe a feeling of pleasant anticipation. This feeling will of course transfer to the person wearing that display, and perhaps make his socialising a little easier.

David · 4th November 2016, 10:01 PM

Thanks Alan. I do understand that the wayang are seen in this light, but seeing it on BOTH wrongko AND the pendok made me wonder if perhaps the previous owner had a particular association with the wayang theatre. Your explanation was most helpful.

David · 4th November 2016, 10:03 PM

BTW Naga, you hilt is oriented the wrong way. It should be twisted 180º in the opposite direction.

A. G. Maisey · 5th November 2016, 04:14 AM

When we talk about associations with wayang, we're really only talking about the dalang, the puppet master, yes, they do wear a keris during the performance, but I doubt very much that one would wear a sunggingan, it would be more likely to be a pusaka, or if not that, just an ordinary dress keris, nothing as fancy as this sunggingan.I feel that perhaps a collector may have had this one put together for his own enjoyment, and hit upon the idea of the wayang motif in the pendok.

David · 5th November 2016, 02:39 PM

Thanks Alan. Makes sense.

4th November 2016, 06:01 PM	#1
GIO Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 328	The blade without hilt seems to have a rather unusual dapor towards the tip. The blade was bent and then re-aligned ? Or it is because of the angle of the photo ?

4th November 2016, 09:25 PM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,992	The blue base colour of the wrongko indicates that it is the prerogative of a Penewu, the leader of 1000 men in the old days. The use of wayang characters can be seen as a personal decorative preference on the one hand, or it can be seen as a connection to the wayang. These characters are the Punakawans, the moral lessons that are taught through the wayang are to traditional Javanese people something like the moral lessons taught through scripture, so if you have these Punakawans right there where they can be clearly seen, it triggers a thought process that generates the entire story that involves the Punakawans. Javanese people love the Punakawans, and seeing them will generate a nice feeling, maybe a feeling of pleasant anticipation. This feeling will of course transfer to the person wearing that display, and perhaps make his socialising a little easier.

4th November 2016, 10:01 PM	#3
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	Thanks Alan. I do understand that the wayang are seen in this light, but seeing it on BOTH wrongko AND the pendok made me wonder if perhaps the previous owner had a particular association with the wayang theatre. Your explanation was most helpful.

4th November 2016, 10:03 PM	#4
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	BTW Naga, you hilt is oriented the wrong way. It should be twisted 180º in the opposite direction.

5th November 2016, 04:14 AM	#5
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,992	When we talk about associations with wayang, we're really only talking about the dalang, the puppet master, yes, they do wear a keris during the performance, but I doubt very much that one would wear a sunggingan, it would be more likely to be a pusaka, or if not that, just an ordinary dress keris, nothing as fancy as this sunggingan.I feel that perhaps a collector may have had this one put together for his own enjoyment, and hit upon the idea of the wayang motif in the pendok.

5th November 2016, 02:39 PM	#6
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	Thanks Alan. Makes sense.