Sumatra keris with ivory parts

Paul B. · 1st February 2022, 04:02 PM

Agree, it isn't elephant and belief it is some kind of marine ivory. Could sperm whale be an option?
The handle is heavy and big (length about 11 cm).

Sajen · 1st February 2022, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul B.

Could sperm whale be an option?
The handle is heavy and big (length about 11 cm).

Yes Paul, I think that it's sperm whale. The wrongko seems to be from elephant ivory and I agree that the put on pieces are made by lack of material.

Regards,
Detlef

PS: very nice Minangkabau keris. Can we see the blade?

Paul B. · 2nd February 2022, 01:14 PM

My impression is that both materials are alike but I could be mistaken.
Here are a few shots more.
Quite a big Minang keris, overall 47 cm.
Indeed a typical Burung shaped handle from the Minangkabau highlands.

David · 2nd February 2022, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

Yes Paul, I think that it's sperm whale. The wrongko seems to be from elephant ivory and I agree that the put on pieces are made by lack of material.

Regards,
Detlef

PS: very nice Minangkabau keris. Can we see the blade?

I'm not convinced the wrongko is elephant ivory. It has a grain, but those are not Schreger patterns as far as i can see.
Paul, this is a very beautiful keris over all.

Paul B. · 2nd February 2022, 02:45 PM

Agree, I vote for sperm whale (both parts).
The warangka has a similar bright 'hot spot' underneath the vertical carving as the handle does.

I wonder to whom this keris have belonged referring to dress and size.

Paul B. · 2nd February 2022, 03:51 PM

Another pic.

Paul B. · 3rd February 2022, 12:50 PM

Any clues or thoughts?
What about age?

Paul B. · 4th February 2022, 05:24 PM

Similar pieces among collections ? Would love to see.

kai · 5th February 2022, 09:12 PM

Hello Paul,

Sorry for joining the party late and even getting distracted before finalizing this response!

Quote:

Any clues or thoughts?
What about age?

This ensemble leaves me a bit uneasy.

The hilt does seem to have good age, good quality carving, might well be antique IMHO.

The blade is imported as many blades of keris Minang are.

The pendokok is of a more modern style.

The crosspiece bugs me: Even if possibly stained, it seems to have genuine age. On the other hand, I can't see it as a likely repair attempt; as an original construction it also seems more than odd, especially considering genuine traditional craftsmanship...

I believe the gandar and the silverwork might be a later replacement.

I'd need to examine this keris personally to substantiate any of these assumptions though.

Regards,
Kai

2nd February 2022, 01:14 PM	#3
Paul B. Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 205	My impression is that both materials are alike but I could be mistaken. Here are a few shots more. Quite a big Minang keris, overall 47 cm. Indeed a typical Burung shaped handle from the Minangkabau highlands. Attached Images

2nd February 2022, 02:45 PM	#5
Paul B. Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 205	Agree, I vote for sperm whale (both parts). The warangka has a similar bright 'hot spot' underneath the vertical carving as the handle does. I wonder to whom this keris have belonged referring to dress and size. Last edited by Paul B.; 2nd February 2022 at 03:49 PM.

2nd February 2022, 03:51 PM	#6
Paul B. Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 205	Another pic. Attached Images

1st February 2022, 04:02 PM	#1
Paul B. Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 205	Agree, it isn't elephant and belief it is some kind of marine ivory. Could sperm whale be an option? The handle is heavy and big (length about 11 cm).

3rd February 2022, 12:50 PM	#7
Paul B. Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 205	Any clues or thoughts? What about age?

4th February 2022, 05:24 PM	#8
Paul B. Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 205	Similar pieces among collections ? Would love to see.