Solo Keris

Boedhi Adhitya · 4th August 2006, 06:16 AM

Congratulations on your new keris, drdavid. New keris, as long as it is made properly, surely a good keris, as your does. While it was made by Maduranese, the shape takes Solo's aesthetical pattern/style, the famous 'Pakubuwono X' form, which is the most common pattern for 'high-end' modern keris made today.

As Alan explained, most modern kerises today made by Madura, especially the forging process. The 'benchwork artist', which is quite a lot (at least 15 of them competed in the 1st National Keris-shaping Competition held in Jakarta last June), might buy the keris blank from madura and do the benchworking, which is less 'risky' than the forging process, especially when you forge a sophiticated pattern such as 'ron gendhuru wengkon', which bear a lot of failure possibilities. Low-end blades might be worked by women and young villagers in Madura as a home industry.

The finest modern keris today, while the blank are forged in Madura, are mostly still came from Java, for example from Surabaya (Mr. Sukoyo/Rudi workshop), Malang (Mr. Fanani), Solo (Mr. Subandi and Mr. Sukamdi), Muntilan/Magelang (Mr. Heru), and Jakarta (Mr. Toni Yunus and Kohin). Why ? Because they may see (and have) the original fine pieces from Keraton (mostly Solo, PB IX-X), which they may copy then. Some of them would always bring vernier caliper with him, and when he has an opportunity to see a good original keris, they may take it's measures, as long as condition permits. Most Maduranese very,very rarely see or handle those fine pieces, so they cannot master the 'proper artistical' pattern. Are those artists could be called empus? keris maker is OK. But empu, as they never forge the keris themselves, except Mr. Subandi, is questionable. Not to mention other qualifications. A wise keris maker today, then, will not call himself as empu, even if he forge the blade himself, as he quite aware of his own 'qualifications' compared to the old times empus.

Today, keris in STSI is just an elective, 1 semester study in 'Seni Kriya' (handicraft art?) faculty, and the lecturer is Mr. Subandi, which as a formal, state-servant lecturer, is 'fully supported' (e.g, has sallary). The keris art gives some perspective for student in some technique on working with iron. The ISI Jogjakarta, I heard, is considering to add this elective study.

Market for modern keris is still problem today, as many Indonesian still prefer the old pieces, mostly for, you know, the 'magical' sides. But some modern collector which look for the art do exist, and the number seems growing, and appreciation for modern keris is getting better.

Alam Shah · 10th August 2006, 03:49 PM

Thanks, Boedhi for the info. Let's go to the warung...

Ian · 10th August 2006, 04:37 PM

And away we go ... over to the Keris Forum.

Ian.

Rick · 10th August 2006, 04:59 PM

Thank you Ian !

Now as promised for Ki Jayamalelo :

drdavid · 11th August 2006, 08:08 AM

As requested Ki Jayamalelo but my photographic skills are not great
DrD

Ki Jayamalelo · 20th August 2006, 08:59 PM

Thanks to Rick and Drdavid,

nice to see better new kerisses. Do you know who made them ?

I`m right now planning my voyage to Malaysia (roundtrip), Singapore and Indonesia (Java, Bali, Sulawesi and maby Sumatera). It would be nice to see some keris lovers over there.

By the way I say thanks and many regards to Alan for mentioning my name. So everybody knows now behind Ki Jayamalelo is Dietrich Drescher from Germany who is one of the guilty persons for the new keris.

Regards

Rick · 20th August 2006, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ki Jayamalelo

Thanks to Rick and Drdavid,

nice to see better new kerisses. Do you know who made them ?

I`m right now planning my voyage to Malaysia (roundtrip), Singapore and Indonesia (Java, Bali, Sulawesi and maby Sumatera). It would be nice to see some keris lovers over there.

By the way I say thanks and many regards to Alan for mentioning my name. So everybody knows now behind Ki Jayamalelo is Dietrich Drescher from Germany who is one of the guilty persons for the new keris.

Regards

Sadly, no Pak Ki ; it is encouraging to see the art being developed to higher levels in Madura .

Hardly guilty Sir; more like a gift that you have given to us all .

An honor to see you here.

Rick

4th August 2006, 06:16 AM	#1
Boedhi Adhitya Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 103	Congratulations on your new keris, drdavid. New keris, as long as it is made properly, surely a good keris, as your does. While it was made by Maduranese, the shape takes Solo's aesthetical pattern/style, the famous 'Pakubuwono X' form, which is the most common pattern for 'high-end' modern keris made today. As Alan explained, most modern kerises today made by Madura, especially the forging process. The 'benchwork artist', which is quite a lot (at least 15 of them competed in the 1st National Keris-shaping Competition held in Jakarta last June), might buy the keris blank from madura and do the benchworking, which is less 'risky' than the forging process, especially when you forge a sophiticated pattern such as 'ron gendhuru wengkon', which bear a lot of failure possibilities. Low-end blades might be worked by women and young villagers in Madura as a home industry. The finest modern keris today, while the blank are forged in Madura, are mostly still came from Java, for example from Surabaya (Mr. Sukoyo/Rudi workshop), Malang (Mr. Fanani), Solo (Mr. Subandi and Mr. Sukamdi), Muntilan/Magelang (Mr. Heru), and Jakarta (Mr. Toni Yunus and Kohin). Why ? Because they may see (and have) the original fine pieces from Keraton (mostly Solo, PB IX-X), which they may copy then. Some of them would always bring vernier caliper with him, and when he has an opportunity to see a good original keris, they may take it's measures, as long as condition permits. Most Maduranese very,very rarely see or handle those fine pieces, so they cannot master the 'proper artistical' pattern. Are those artists could be called empus? keris maker is OK. But empu, as they never forge the keris themselves, except Mr. Subandi, is questionable. Not to mention other qualifications. A wise keris maker today, then, will not call himself as empu, even if he forge the blade himself, as he quite aware of his own 'qualifications' compared to the old times empus. Today, keris in STSI is just an elective, 1 semester study in 'Seni Kriya' (handicraft art?) faculty, and the lecturer is Mr. Subandi, which as a formal, state-servant lecturer, is 'fully supported' (e.g, has sallary). The keris art gives some perspective for student in some technique on working with iron. The ISI Jogjakarta, I heard, is considering to add this elective study. Market for modern keris is still problem today, as many Indonesian still prefer the old pieces, mostly for, you know, the 'magical' sides. But some modern collector which look for the art do exist, and the number seems growing, and appreciation for modern keris is getting better. Last edited by Boedhi Adhitya; 4th August 2006 at 06:50 AM.

10th August 2006, 03:49 PM	#2
Alam Shah Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,248	For Warung Kopi Thanks, Boedhi for the info. Let's go to the warung...

10th August 2006, 04:59 PM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,376	Thank you Ian ! Now as promised for Ki Jayamalelo : Attached Images

11th August 2006, 08:08 AM	#5
drdavid Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 372	And one from me As requested Ki Jayamalelo but my photographic skills are not great DrD Attached Images

10th August 2006, 04:37 PM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,513	And away we go ... over to the Keris Forum. Ian.

20th August 2006, 08:59 PM	#6
Ki Jayamalelo Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Germany Posts: 18	Thanks to Rick and Drdavid, nice to see better new kerisses. Do you know who made them ? I`m right now planning my voyage to Malaysia (roundtrip), Singapore and Indonesia (Java, Bali, Sulawesi and maby Sumatera). It would be nice to see some keris lovers over there. By the way I say thanks and many regards to Alan for mentioning my name. So everybody knows now behind Ki Jayamalelo is Dietrich Drescher from Germany who is one of the guilty persons for the new keris. Regards