Uniquely Singapore Merlion Keris inspired by unduk-unduk

Anthony G. · 4th April 2018, 03:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexish

A uniquely Singapore keris inspired by the national icon of Singapore - the Merlion, as well as by the peninsular unduk-unduk keris.

Hi

Any idea what kind of material is used to make this modern contemporary keris-like keris?

alexish · 4th April 2018, 04:36 AM

I believe that the sampir/warangka is made of kemuning wood, as seen from the flashing grain; while the blade is besi kelengan without pamor.

Treeslicer · 4th April 2018, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexish

I believe that the sampir/warangka is made of kemuning wood, as seen from the flashing grain; while the blade is besi kelengan without pamor.

Isn't besi kelengan not considered correct for making heirloom blades from? Here's a reference: http://www.kerispusakajawa.com/2017/...aja-untuk.html

David · 4th April 2018, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Treeslicer

Isn't besi kelengan not considered correct for making heirloom blades from? Here's a reference: http://www.kerispusakajawa.com/2017/...aja-untuk.html

Well, this website is the first time i have every seen that written about keris kelengan. I'm would need to see some cross-referencing to take that more seriously. I might also add that what is true for keris Jawa is not necessarily true for keris from other regions of Indonesia and the Malay Peninsula, so even if we could find some verification of such a restriction it would not necessarily apply to a keris form the Peninsula. Keris Tajong are most commonly seen with pandai saras that are generally pamor-less. I think you might get an argument from numerous collectors if you were to discount all of those blades as invalid for the distinction of pusaka.
Of course this blade isn't actually a Peninsula blade, is it? It was manufactured in Madura in the form of a Peninsula style blade, or at least, with the intention of appearing that way. Though it is a dhapur that is completely new at the same time. So i don't see how any rules of iron types or lack of pamor can apply to such of keris even if they do exist. At the same time i don't see modern art pieces like this likely to be applied to a pusaka scenario down the line anyway so it seems a bit of a moot issue.

Rick · 4th April 2018, 03:59 PM

Speaking as the person who founded this sub-forum:

We exist to discuss traditional kerises and their cultures; not modern art.
These pieces you keep presenting are no different than fantasy barbarian swords from Kult of Athena, Bud K etc., cartoons imo.

They pollute the and distract from the aim of the forum.

alexish · 4th April 2018, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

Speaking as the person who founded this sub-forum:

We exist to discuss traditional kerises and their cultures; not modern art.
These pieces you keep presenting are no different than fantasy barbarian swords from Kult of Athena, Bud K etc., cartoons imo.

They pollute the and distract from the aim of the forum.

My apologies, I will only present traditional pieces in the future.

David · 4th April 2018, 06:12 PM

In current era keris production there are obviously numerous schools of thought at play. While i am in complete agreement with Rick as to the intended nature of this forum i don't want to give folks the idea that we do not embrace the discussion of any current era keris. Personally i do see the keris as a LIVING art form and believe that there is room for evolution of design, however, i think that needs to be in compliance with generally accepted guidelines of current keris production. Who decides these guidelines? At one time it would be the keraton and i am sure that many keris smiths and enthusiasts still see established pakem of various keris centers as the guide for what a keris should look like from any given region. Yes, there have always been unusual keris that were made outside these centers and did not adhere to recognized pakem, but generally i believe that even village smiths did their best to create acceptable keris dhapurs back in the day.
Obviously there is another end to that spectrum and we have seen a great deal of anything goes mishmashes of designer modern art pieces. Alexis has presented a number of cross-cultural designs on this forum that are unique and defy both traditional categorization and cultural identity. Often they have a decent sense of craft, but the question arises as to whether they are truly ethnographic keris or merely modern art pieces. Nothing wrong with modern art, per se, but the question arises, is this what we talk about here on this forum.
I am trying to make these distinction because i do not want to give anyone the impression that this forum is not interested in discussing current era keris. Again, the keris is a living form and part of the evolving Indonesian/Malay cultural heritage. New keris that are created as cultural objects within established guidelines are certainly open for discussion here. But when a keris is created by personal whim with a mishmash of cultural influences, sometimes even completely outside the spectrum of any actual keris culture influence (i am thinking of your "Viking" keris dress here Alexis, and your "Anglo-Saxon" keris dress or when you commissioned a "Bali" hilt with a Sinhalese lion design), i do believe it falls outside the intent and purpose of this forum. The keris is an object of cultural identity (amongst other things) and confusing that cultural identity though incongruous or impulsive mashups of style and form, however visual pleasing they might be to some, might be art, but i am not convinced they are keris.

4th April 2018, 03:59 PM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	May I make Myself Clear Speaking as the person who founded this sub-forum: We exist to discuss traditional kerises and their cultures; not modern art. These pieces you keep presenting are no different than fantasy barbarian swords from Kult of Athena, Bud K etc., cartoons imo. They pollute the and distract from the aim of the forum.

4th April 2018, 04:36 AM	#2
alexish Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Posts: 127	I believe that the sampir/warangka is made of kemuning wood, as seen from the flashing grain; while the blade is besi kelengan without pamor.

4th April 2018, 06:12 PM	#7
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	In current era keris production there are obviously numerous schools of thought at play. While i am in complete agreement with Rick as to the intended nature of this forum i don't want to give folks the idea that we do not embrace the discussion of any current era keris. Personally i do see the keris as a LIVING art form and believe that there is room for evolution of design, however, i think that needs to be in compliance with generally accepted guidelines of current keris production. Who decides these guidelines? At one time it would be the keraton and i am sure that many keris smiths and enthusiasts still see established pakem of various keris centers as the guide for what a keris should look like from any given region. Yes, there have always been unusual keris that were made outside these centers and did not adhere to recognized pakem, but generally i believe that even village smiths did their best to create acceptable keris dhapurs back in the day. Obviously there is another end to that spectrum and we have seen a great deal of anything goes mishmashes of designer modern art pieces. Alexis has presented a number of cross-cultural designs on this forum that are unique and defy both traditional categorization and cultural identity. Often they have a decent sense of craft, but the question arises as to whether they are truly ethnographic keris or merely modern art pieces. Nothing wrong with modern art, per se, but the question arises, is this what we talk about here on this forum. I am trying to make these distinction because i do not want to give anyone the impression that this forum is not interested in discussing current era keris. Again, the keris is a living form and part of the evolving Indonesian/Malay cultural heritage. New keris that are created as cultural objects within established guidelines are certainly open for discussion here. But when a keris is created by personal whim with a mishmash of cultural influences, sometimes even completely outside the spectrum of any actual keris culture influence (i am thinking of your "Viking" keris dress here Alexis, and your "Anglo-Saxon" keris dress or when you commissioned a "Bali" hilt with a Sinhalese lion design), i do believe it falls outside the intent and purpose of this forum. The keris is an object of cultural identity (amongst other things) and confusing that cultural identity though incongruous or impulsive mashups of style and form, however visual pleasing they might be to some, might be art, but i am not convinced they are keris.