Help identify Klewang

Dominique · 14th May 2017, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

I'm not pushing the barrow for Jawa origin with this thing, I'm just relating what I've seen. I've never seen one of these things in Jawa, I have in Bali, but the overall impression I get of it is Jawa...I am inclined to place it as either East Jawa or West Bali.

Thank you Alan, for your explanations. This "mardhik" to call it by your suggested name, was sold at an auction with several old keris from East and North Jawa, and a couple from Bali, which would tend to confirm your inclination towards Jawa.

A. G. Maisey · 14th May 2017, 09:20 AM

Things move around Dominique. Indonesia now is not like it was 200 years ago, there has been easy movement between all places for a long time. I reckon just about anything that was acquired on the ground in Indonesia during the last, say, 150 years could have originated anywhere.

I don't favour either Bali or Jawa for this mardhik, the workmanship looks Javanese --- well to me it does --- but I've only ever seen this type of thing in Bali. Toss a coin.

DaveA · 24th May 2017, 01:09 AM

A fascinating piece! Thank you for posting.

I believe the hilt is a variant of Hulu Tapa Guda (also Hulu Tapa Gudo, Oelee Tapa Göda, Oeloe Tapa Koedo, Soekol Tapa Koedo, Sukul Tapa Kuedo). This hilt is designed to resemble a horse's hoof on the pommel. This version is usually simply designed and slightly bent towards the blade edge side. It is found mostly on Rudus, and the Co Jang.

It is a risk to stretch analogies too far, but the gross characteristic of a recurred edge leading to a hook reminds me of the parang beng kok as identified first by Gardner (plate 58) and then picked up by Van Zonneveld (page 98). (These IDs have been disputed in the forum.). The point I wish to make is that it looks like a working blade for cutting and clearing cane or similar crop -- the hooked end provides an easy way to capture and throw cut cane aside.

Best,

Dave A

Dominique · 14th June 2018, 09:16 PM

In Czerny's last auction catalog item 31, listed as a Kudi Tranchang from Bali, is very similar to mine, except for the hilt.
As for the hilt, the following picture from asomotif in older thread about Bali Pengantas, shows a similar faceted hilt and ferrule.

24th May 2017, 01:09 AM	#3
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 424	Hilt \| Hulu Tapa Guda A fascinating piece! Thank you for posting. I believe the hilt is a variant of Hulu Tapa Guda (also Hulu Tapa Gudo, Oelee Tapa Göda, Oeloe Tapa Koedo, Soekol Tapa Koedo, Sukul Tapa Kuedo). This hilt is designed to resemble a horse's hoof on the pommel. This version is usually simply designed and slightly bent towards the blade edge side. It is found mostly on Rudus, and the Co Jang. It is a risk to stretch analogies too far, but the gross characteristic of a recurred edge leading to a hook reminds me of the parang beng kok as identified first by Gardner (plate 58) and then picked up by Van Zonneveld (page 98). (These IDs have been disputed in the forum.). The point I wish to make is that it looks like a working blade for cutting and clearing cane or similar crop -- the hooked end provides an easy way to capture and throw cut cane aside. Best, Dave A

14th June 2018, 09:16 PM	#4
Dominique Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Paris Posts: 21	Kudi Tranchang In Czerny's last auction catalog item 31, listed as a Kudi Tranchang from Bali, is very similar to mine, except for the hilt. As for the hilt, the following picture from asomotif in older thread about Bali Pengantas, shows a similar faceted hilt and ferrule. Attached Images

14th May 2017, 09:20 AM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,056	Things move around Dominique. Indonesia now is not like it was 200 years ago, there has been easy movement between all places for a long time. I reckon just about anything that was acquired on the ground in Indonesia during the last, say, 150 years could have originated anywhere. I don't favour either Bali or Jawa for this mardhik, the workmanship looks Javanese --- well to me it does --- but I've only ever seen this type of thing in Bali. Toss a coin.