Paintjob on Hulu and Warangka

Battara · 9th March 2019, 05:00 AM

What is the significance of this kind of painting on this type of keris?

Anthony G. · 9th March 2019, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

What is the significance of this kind of painting on this type of keris?

It is many kinds of animals, I have no idea.

A. G. Maisey · 9th March 2019, 06:04 AM

I think its origin is the European painted furniture of the Colonial Era, however, there are some very old sunggingan wrongkos in existence that bear decidedly Chinese style motifs, so maybe the original inspiration was painted Chinese furniture. In any case, the Javanese nobles thought painted deco was pretty cool, so they used it on keris furniture as well as house furniture.

The various motifs are borrowed from batik motifs, the colours used are colour coded --- at least in Surakarta they are --- Anthony's keris carries an alas-alasan motif which shows animals in a forest, it is painted on a white ground, which indicates wear permitted to a bupati (regent) and the pendok is red kemalo which is also for a bupati.

The painted ornamentation is usually done by the same craftsmen who paint wayang puppets.

It is found on keris other than just Solo, in Solo it is reasonably common, but from other areas, such as Bali it is very rare, and thus much more expensive.

David · 9th March 2019, 05:36 PM

I have posted this before, but since Alan has mentioned the Bali form, here is an old sunggingan Bali sheath for reference.

mariusgmioc · 14th March 2019, 02:55 PM

Another Balinese example...

Anthony G. · 15th March 2019, 02:15 AM

beautiful

Sajen · 15th March 2019, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthony G.

beautiful

Yes, a very nice contemporary Bali keris!

mariusgmioc · 15th March 2019, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

Yes, a very nice contemporary Bali keris!

Based on the aging/darkening of the paint, I estimate the keris to be about 50 years old. So not antique but not contemporary either.

But I may be wrong...

9th March 2019, 05:36 PM	#4
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,229	I have posted this before, but since Alan has mentioned the Bali form, here is an old sunggingan Bali sheath for reference. Attached Images

14th March 2019, 02:55 PM	#5
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,911	Another Balinese example... Attached Images

9th March 2019, 05:00 AM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,308	What is the significance of this kind of painting on this type of keris?

9th March 2019, 06:04 AM	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,048	I think its origin is the European painted furniture of the Colonial Era, however, there are some very old sunggingan wrongkos in existence that bear decidedly Chinese style motifs, so maybe the original inspiration was painted Chinese furniture. In any case, the Javanese nobles thought painted deco was pretty cool, so they used it on keris furniture as well as house furniture. The various motifs are borrowed from batik motifs, the colours used are colour coded --- at least in Surakarta they are --- Anthony's keris carries an alas-alasan motif which shows animals in a forest, it is painted on a white ground, which indicates wear permitted to a bupati (regent) and the pendok is red kemalo which is also for a bupati. The painted ornamentation is usually done by the same craftsmen who paint wayang puppets. It is found on keris other than just Solo, in Solo it is reasonably common, but from other areas, such as Bali it is very rare, and thus much more expensive.

15th March 2019, 02:15 AM	#6
Anthony G. Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Posts: 470	beautiful