Keris to look at

Treeslicer · 1st March 2018, 10:08 PM

I'm working on cleaning, etc., and getting some macros snapped. The ganja appears to me to be wulung, but I'm not sure if the gap is due to a mismatched replacement ganja or to the blade shrinking more with repeated treatments. Note the two combongs.

I've been trying to find a literature citation for the supposed edict of Sultan Agung calling for replacement of pamor ganja with wulung, that I remember being told about once. Anyone have a reference one way or the other for that?

I'm fairly satisfied that the dapur is Sengkelat. Any disagreements with that?

Anyone have an opinion on the pamor?

David · 2nd March 2018, 01:00 PM

That's a nice old soldier for sure Treeslicer that has seen a lot of years and a lot of washings. As you point out, the combong attest to this age and wear, but it still shows itself as a well formed blade despite this erosion. I don't think anyone will argue about dhapur sengkalet at this point unless better photos reveal something we are not seeing. I wouldn't even begin to assess pamor until this keris receives a good washing and hopefully warangan. Hard to tell much otherwise.

David · 2nd March 2018, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Treeslicer

I've been trying to find a literature citation for the supposed edict of Sultan Agung calling for replacement of pamor ganja with wulung, that I remember being told about once. Anyone have a reference one way or the other for that?

Yes, i have heard that some believe that during the Mataram period Sultan Agung decreed that only he could own a keris with a pamor gonjo. I cannot suggest any specific literature to back this up, but it is a story that has been mentioned on this forum before, including in this thread which you may find interesting.
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=6105

Treeslicer · 2nd March 2018, 10:44 PM

Thanks very much for the link, David. Great thread.

What I find odd about the Sultan Agung gonjo story is that I have read (on Indonesian keris websites) that Sultan Agung issued a proclamation allowing the common people to own pusaka wesi aji in general for the first time, making the gonjo story inconsistent by comparison. I feel that Alan's attribution of pamor-free gonjos to style and economics seems much more likely.

2nd March 2018, 01:00 PM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,229	That's a nice old soldier for sure Treeslicer that has seen a lot of years and a lot of washings. As you point out, the combong attest to this age and wear, but it still shows itself as a well formed blade despite this erosion. I don't think anyone will argue about dhapur sengkalet at this point unless better photos reveal something we are not seeing. I wouldn't even begin to assess pamor until this keris receives a good washing and hopefully warangan. Hard to tell much otherwise. Last edited by David; 2nd March 2018 at 08:19 PM.

1st March 2018, 10:08 PM	#1
Treeslicer Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 65	I'm working on cleaning, etc., and getting some macros snapped. The ganja appears to me to be wulung, but I'm not sure if the gap is due to a mismatched replacement ganja or to the blade shrinking more with repeated treatments. Note the two combongs. I've been trying to find a literature citation for the supposed edict of Sultan Agung calling for replacement of pamor ganja with wulung, that I remember being told about once. Anyone have a reference one way or the other for that? I'm fairly satisfied that the dapur is Sengkelat. Any disagreements with that? Anyone have an opinion on the pamor?

2nd March 2018, 10:44 PM	#4
Treeslicer Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 65	Thanks very much for the link, David. Great thread. What I find odd about the Sultan Agung gonjo story is that I have read (on Indonesian keris websites) that Sultan Agung issued a proclamation allowing the common people to own pusaka wesi aji in general for the first time, making the gonjo story inconsistent by comparison. I feel that Alan's attribution of pamor-free gonjos to style and economics seems much more likely.