Keris Barcelona

David · 8th April 2018, 03:01 PM

It's hard to judge too much about this keris based upon these photos Tim, but the hilt is nothing to write home about. A fairly contemporary and primitive example of that hilt form as far as i can tell. I could be wrong, but the blade looks like it could be a Javanese keris singo with a bit of kanatah added. I can't tell if it is a particularly good or old example. If so the blade seems mis-dressed.

kai · 8th April 2018, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

the hilt is nothing to write home about. A fairly contemporary and primitive example of that hilt form as far as i can tell.

I agree with David's understatement...

Despite Barcelona's emphasis on more recent art, exhibiting this piece as a (single?) keris example in any museum seems ill-advised.

Regards,
Kai

A. G. Maisey · 9th April 2018, 01:11 AM

Hilt made in Jogja, blade not Balinese, might be Jawa, might be Madura.

David · 9th April 2018, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Hilt made in Jogja, blade not Balinese, might be Jawa, might be Madura.

Hi Alan. I understand that these hilts were made for a time in Jawa for a Balinese market. What about this sheath. The photos aren't great, but the pattern on the pendok looks more Javanese than Balinese to my eye. And the shape and flow of the sheath (which i assume is ivory???) looks a bit off. Could this entire ensemble originate in Jawa?

asomotif · 9th April 2018, 08:30 PM

Here is the blade in upright position.

The complete keris in its combination is not a museum worthy example imo.

A. G. Maisey · 10th April 2018, 02:00 AM

David, I would need to look at method of construction of the pendok before I could give a definite opinion on where it was made, but now you have drawn my attention to the pendok motif, that I did no more than glance at yesterday, I can say that this motif contains a lot of Jogja sub-motifs.Additionally, as you have pointed out, the overall profile of the scabbard just doesn't look like Bali --- but it could get by as Lombok.

From what I can see, I think the atasan of the wrongko is genuine Bali or Lombok.

I very probably knew the man who produced the hilt, he might also have had a part in the pendok production. I would not take a stance against production of the entire thing in Jogja, beginning with a nice ivory atasan.

Tim Simmons · 10th April 2018, 07:02 AM

I should have added this pic. So it is not antique ? Age guess? I do not think that really matters although we all really want to see old one examples as collectors, but for a museum which is about culture as much as preserving the past it does not really matter. Do you think the shiny is gold?

9th April 2018, 08:30 PM	#5
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,235	Here is the blade in upright position. The complete keris in its combination is not a museum worthy example imo. Attached Images

10th April 2018, 07:02 AM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	I should have added this pic. So it is not antique ? Age guess? I do not think that really matters although we all really want to see old one examples as collectors, but for a museum which is about culture as much as preserving the past it does not really matter. Do you think the shiny is gold? Attached Images

8th April 2018, 03:01 PM	#1
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,218	It's hard to judge too much about this keris based upon these photos Tim, but the hilt is nothing to write home about. A fairly contemporary and primitive example of that hilt form as far as i can tell. I could be wrong, but the blade looks like it could be a Javanese keris singo with a bit of kanatah added. I can't tell if it is a particularly good or old example. If so the blade seems mis-dressed.

9th April 2018, 01:11 AM	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,015	Hilt made in Jogja, blade not Balinese, might be Jawa, might be Madura.

10th April 2018, 02:00 AM	#6
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,015	David, I would need to look at method of construction of the pendok before I could give a definite opinion on where it was made, but now you have drawn my attention to the pendok motif, that I did no more than glance at yesterday, I can say that this motif contains a lot of Jogja sub-motifs.Additionally, as you have pointed out, the overall profile of the scabbard just doesn't look like Bali --- but it could get by as Lombok. From what I can see, I think the atasan of the wrongko is genuine Bali or Lombok. I very probably knew the man who produced the hilt, he might also have had a part in the pendok production. I would not take a stance against production of the entire thing in Jogja, beginning with a nice ivory atasan.