Sumatra keris with ivory parts

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.

Jean · 4th February 2022, 05:52 PM

A smaller Minang keris with a similar hilt made from whale tooth, and another Minang keris with a similar scabbard.
I am not sure that your blade is of Minang origin.
Regards

shadejoy · 5th February 2022, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jean

A smaller Minang keris with a similar hilt made from whale tooth, and another Minang keris with a similar scabbard.
I am not sure that your blade is of Minang origin.
Regards

@Jean, your first picture ..is that Minang's interpretation of Naga on the Keris' gandik, what dapur is it? Interesting piece. Please tell us more about the Keris.

Jean · 5th February 2022, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadejoy

@Jean, your first picture ..is that Minang's interpretation of Naga on the Keris' gandik, what dapur is it? Interesting piece. Please tell us more about the Keris.

Yes, this is a Minang interpretation of a naga blade, I bought this piece from the famous keris collector & expert Martin Kerner, I guess that the whole piece is about 50 years old or more. This dapur with 3 luk is typically Minang (see pic) but this one including a naga is rare. The pendok (silver oversheath) with a flared or rounded buntut (tip) is also typical of Minang krisses.
Regards

David · 4th February 2022, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul B.

Similar pieces among collections ? Would love to see.

Minang keris have eluded my collection for some time now. I would love to eventually add a good, representative example.

kai · 4th February 2022, 07:18 PM

Hello David,

Quote:

Minang keris have eluded my collection for some time now. I would love to eventually add a good, representative example.

You're surely out of luck here: There is no representative Minang example.

Because there are several, if not many very distinct local styles...

Regards,
Kai

David · 5th February 2022, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kai

Hello David,

You're surely out of luck here: There is no representative Minang example.

Because there are several, if not many very distinct local styles...

Regards,
Kai

Kai, i said i was looking for A representative example of a Minang keris, not THE representative example. I currently have NO example of any kind of Minang keris, so surely ANY good Minang keris would be a good representation example of that particular style.

PM me if you are letting something go.

Jean · 5th February 2022, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kai

Hello David,

You're surely out of luck here: There is no representative Minang example.

Because there are several, if not many very distinct local styles...

Regards,
Kai

The 2 specimens which I have shown on the previous pics are representative of two main types of Minang krisses (short blade with 3 luks or straight bahari blade) but there are some variations indeed. The book "Keris Minangkabau" includes many other types of supposedly Minangkabau krisses but which are mixed pieces IMO....

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

Paul B. · 6th February 2022, 06:31 AM

Thanks. I do think both handle and scabbard are old. Looks pretty black and dusty from the inside. Notice the wide opening, it indicates that it must have had a blade with a wide ganja (in case the existing blade isn't the first one).
From the back we see that the ivory patch to the right is not in line with the warangka material. So I do not belief it is a broken part.
The pendokok looks old from the inside too. I gave it a polish which might give it a new impression.
The gandar is a replacement but not surprisingly. Wood is deteriorating soon in a tropical environment.

What about this blade? Like Jean's piece it has a silverfoil covered ganja. Does seem to have Malay features to me. Slightly curved. It comes with a Minang dress.

Paul B. · 8th February 2022, 12:55 PM

New suggestions are welcome concerning this keris.

Jean · 8th February 2022, 01:31 PM

The selut is Minang but the hilt, blade, and scabbard/ pendok rather look Bugis Riau or Peninsular to me

Other opinions are welcome

Wijaya34 · 1st January 2023, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul B.

New suggestions are welcome concerning this keris.

It looks like a 'rejang lebong' keris to me. These type of kerises are popular in the Bengkulu region of sumatra.

2nd February 2022, 02:45 PM	#1
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	#2
Paul B. Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 205	Another pic. Attached Images

4th February 2022, 05:52 PM	#5
Jean Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,740	A smaller Minang keris with a similar hilt made from whale tooth, and another Minang keris with a similar scabbard. I am not sure that your blade is of Minang origin. Regards Attached Images

6th February 2022, 06:31 AM	#13
Paul B. Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 205	Thanks. I do think both handle and scabbard are old. Looks pretty black and dusty from the inside. Notice the wide opening, it indicates that it must have had a blade with a wide ganja (in case the existing blade isn't the first one). From the back we see that the ivory patch to the right is not in line with the warangka material. So I do not belief it is a broken part. The pendokok looks old from the inside too. I gave it a polish which might give it a new impression. The gandar is a replacement but not surprisingly. Wood is deteriorating soon in a tropical environment. What about this blade? Like Jean's piece it has a silverfoil covered ganja. Does seem to have Malay features to me. Slightly curved. It comes with a Minang dress. Attached Images Last edited by Paul B.; 6th February 2022 at 10:11 AM.

8th February 2022, 12:55 PM	#14
Paul B. Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 205	New suggestions are welcome concerning this keris. Attached Images

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

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

8th February 2022, 01:31 PM	#15
Jean Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,740	The selut is Minang but the hilt, blade, and scabbard/ pendok rather look Bugis Riau or Peninsular to me Other opinions are welcome