Unusual Keris Dress from where?

Henk · 25th August 2006, 09:26 AM

David,

Van Duuren is mentioning two things. The military ukiran the maduran developed after being honoured for their help to the dutch army. I add a picture of such a ukiran below. That is such a ukiran referring to:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henk

The maduran royals were very proud on this honour and represented their pride in the ukirans who became the form of militaries in uniform with helmets, epaulettes, braids and ribbons. Of course these ukirans could vary with indonesian symbols. Sometimes small dragons are found on the helmets and parts of the uniforms change into flowers or twines with leaves. The names given to these ukirans landhian langsir and landhian pulasir refer to the dutch lancer and cuirassier.

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

Yes, and a lovely example of the Dutch soldier's keris that you show us Henk.

But this is part of my argument for this NOT being such a keris. None of this type of representation (figurative), either dutch or Indonesian, appear in Naga Sasra's dress. If we look at the "touristy" dress that formed in Bali we also see very figurative designs such as a greatt big Kala face. Fancy and figurative seems to be what the European mindset wanted. It is also true, i think, that East jawa and Madura presented quite alot of nice wood carving in their traditional keris dress, so i am not inclined to immediately believe that this is a design created for export. It certainly could have been, i just don't see anything that implies it.
BTW, i don't think anyone was pointing your way particularly for starting the idea that this might be a tourist piece. I believe Naga Sasra began his thread with the thought.

The soldiers keris I showed you and the soldiers keris with the lying lion on the wrangka (such examples appear from time to time on ebay) are the keris brought back to Holland by the dutch soldiers as a souvenir and what Van Duuren called the first early tourist keris.
The keris Naga Sasra shows us has such an equal appearance as those keris. As i wrote before, here in Holland those keris come up from time to time. Mostly the usual "standard" soldiers keris with lying lion on the wrangka and a male or female ukiran, but sometimes in a complete different dress but still recognizable as a soldiers keris.

I prefer to speak about "soldiers keris" and not about "tourist keris". For me a tourist keris is a complete different category.

Marcokeris · 25th August 2006, 11:06 AM

I agree with Henk.
I add another "soldier" ukiran's picture

Henk · 25th August 2006, 01:29 PM

Marcokeris,

That's also a lovely example of such a maduran ukiran. Are there two lions in the shield on the belly? If so it is possibly the dutch royal weapon.

David · 25th August 2006, 03:05 PM

Henk and Marcokeris, thanks for posting these examples. I agree with you Henk that these "soldier's keris" are in a different catagory to what we often think of as a "tourist" keris, although i don't particularly like the term "tourist" keris in general as it is usually only meant to describe low quality keris, some of which might actually serve some ethnographic service such as a part of wedding attire and not actually be meant for export.
I have seen these "soldier's keris" in all levels of quality and i think they are certainly important in the overall history of the keris. I wouldn't mind finding a good example one day for my own collection.

However, i still fail to see how Naga Sasra's keris is in any way "equal" to these "soldier"s keris" other than the fact that they both have carved sheaths. I see no similarities here.

Rick · 25th August 2006, 03:39 PM

Possibly we should look at the basic elements in this dress ; the gambar has an extremely pronounced mid-rib which is an element I have not seen on Maduran gambars .

The scabbard carving is representative of simple form and extreme *repetition* ; another element that I have not seen on Maduran work . The extreme width of the gambar doesn't seem in keeping with Madurese work either nor does the shape .

Your humble moderator would deeply appreciate some postings of Cirebon kerises so that he might compare forms .

Perhaps the example in Frey III and Naga Sasra's keris are simply anomalies but that answer really doesn't satisfy .

Rick

VVV · 25th August 2006, 05:15 PM

Here is a sample what I had in mind when I wrote influence of a Cirebon/Tegal Ganesha hilt among others. It's from a friend's collection so I don't have it in bigger size.

Michael

Battara · 25th August 2006, 06:32 PM

Is the wranga ivory or bone?

Rick · 25th August 2006, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VVV

Here is a sample what I had in mind when I wrote influence of a Cirebon/Tegal Ganesha hilt among others. It's from a friend's collection so I don't have it in bigger size.

Michael

I have observed with a magnifying glass that the ukiran on the example in Frey III is practically identical to that of Naga Sasra's example of this form .

Marcokeris · 28th August 2006, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henk

Marcokeris,

That's also a lovely example of such a maduran ukiran. Are there two lions in the shield on the belly? If so it is possibly the dutch royal weapon.

No, only one lion with a sword. On a side a horse, on the other side a dragon

Rick · 28th August 2006, 10:38 PM

Back to the dress in question ; the wrongko of many keris is considered to be influenced by the shape of a boat .
In Naga Sasra's wrongko I see the influence of (or resemblance to) wings .

Are keris from Cirebon so rare that we have no other examples in our collections save one ?

A. G. Maisey · 28th August 2006, 11:19 PM

In respect of the example posted by Naga Sasra.

The handle is a not particularly scarce Madura style, that can also be found on some North Coast and East Jawa keris, however, when this occurs it is probably a keris owned by a person from Madura, as Madura influence and people have spread into these areas for hundreds of years. Madura in modern Indonesia is a part of East Jawa.

The mendak is Central Javanese, probably from Solo.

The blade is an older one of possibly Tuban, or Pajajaran , or some other similar classification, but this is too difficult to be definite about without having it in the hand.

The wrongko is interesting.

It has been carved as a highly decorative, non-traditional form.

Execution appears to be in the style of the carvers of Suminep , Madura, and it may have originated from there, however, I feel it is more likely that it was carved by a Suminep craftsman living in the area around Surabaya,and as a commercial endeavour.

As to what the motif may represent, since this is a non-traditional motif, and cannot be compared to examples of motifs in other examples, or mediums, the only person who could really say what it represents is the person who carved it.

To my eye, and taking into account traditional values, I think I am looking at a representation of a coconut palm tree. However, as I say, this is only a guess that cannot ever be confirmed. It could well be his mother in law's eyebrows, for all I know.

Regarding keris from Cirebon, Tegal, Banyumas, and other parts of the Island of Jawa.

Yes, examples of keris from these areas are very, very scarce.

During my life I have had thousands of keris in my possession, and I have seen and handled many thousands more. Amongst these thousands of keris , I could probably count the old examples of complete keris from areas under the influence of Javanese courts other than Surakarta and Jogjakarta ,and excluding East Javanese examples, on the fingers of one hand.

Since the end of WWII, Surakarta and Jogjakarta dress has dominated all Javanese keris dress style.

Naga Sasra · 31st August 2006, 04:27 AM

Thank you to all of you who responded to this thread, it has been an interesting learning experience with many a good thought and discussion.

At this point the consensus point primarily to a Madura origin or less likely East Jawa. The blade older probably tangguh Tuban.

What remain as a point of interest is the wrongko, which is unique in design and properly made to be a decorator piece.

We can now as a result of this limited discussion segregate the so called Madura/East Jawa tourist keris wrongko into at least three areas of interest.

First: the tourist-tourist keris.

Second: the ones brought back to Holland by the soldiers.

Third: the ones of unique design made for decoration.

Mine and the one Frey pictured in the archive, would clearly fall into the third category.

Again, thank you all for your participation. Next I will post a piece that will bring our friends from Singapore and Malaysia into the discussion.

25th August 2006, 11:06 AM	#2
Marcokeris Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Italy Posts: 928	I agree with Henk. I add another "soldier" ukiran's picture Attached Images

25th August 2006, 03:39 PM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	Gentlemen Possibly we should look at the basic elements in this dress ; the gambar has an extremely pronounced mid-rib which is an element I have not seen on Maduran gambars . The scabbard carving is representative of simple form and extreme repetition ; another element that I have not seen on Maduran work . The extreme width of the gambar doesn't seem in keeping with Madurese work either nor does the shape . Your humble moderator would deeply appreciate some postings of Cirebon kerises so that he might compare forms . Perhaps the example in Frey III and Naga Sasra's keris are simply anomalies but that answer really doesn't satisfy . Rick

25th August 2006, 05:15 PM	#6
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Here is a sample what I had in mind when I wrote influence of a Cirebon/Tegal Ganesha hilt among others. It's from a friend's collection so I don't have it in bigger size. Michael Attached Images

25th August 2006, 01:29 PM	#3
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Marcokeris, That's also a lovely example of such a maduran ukiran. Are there two lions in the shield on the belly? If so it is possibly the dutch royal weapon.

25th August 2006, 03:05 PM	#4
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,213	Henk and Marcokeris, thanks for posting these examples. I agree with you Henk that these "soldier's keris" are in a different catagory to what we often think of as a "tourist" keris, although i don't particularly like the term "tourist" keris in general as it is usually only meant to describe low quality keris, some of which might actually serve some ethnographic service such as a part of wedding attire and not actually be meant for export. I have seen these "soldier's keris" in all levels of quality and i think they are certainly important in the overall history of the keris. I wouldn't mind finding a good example one day for my own collection. However, i still fail to see how Naga Sasra's keris is in any way "equal" to these "soldier"s keris" other than the fact that they both have carved sheaths. I see no similarities here.

25th August 2006, 06:32 PM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Is the wranga ivory or bone?

28th August 2006, 10:38 PM	#10
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	Back to the dress in question ; the wrongko of many keris is considered to be influenced by the shape of a boat . In Naga Sasra's wrongko I see the influence of (or resemblance to) wings . Are keris from Cirebon so rare that we have no other examples in our collections save one ?

28th August 2006, 11:19 PM	#11
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,994	In respect of the example posted by Naga Sasra. The handle is a not particularly scarce Madura style, that can also be found on some North Coast and East Jawa keris, however, when this occurs it is probably a keris owned by a person from Madura, as Madura influence and people have spread into these areas for hundreds of years. Madura in modern Indonesia is a part of East Jawa. The mendak is Central Javanese, probably from Solo. The blade is an older one of possibly Tuban, or Pajajaran , or some other similar classification, but this is too difficult to be definite about without having it in the hand. The wrongko is interesting. It has been carved as a highly decorative, non-traditional form. Execution appears to be in the style of the carvers of Suminep , Madura, and it may have originated from there, however, I feel it is more likely that it was carved by a Suminep craftsman living in the area around Surabaya,and as a commercial endeavour. As to what the motif may represent, since this is a non-traditional motif, and cannot be compared to examples of motifs in other examples, or mediums, the only person who could really say what it represents is the person who carved it. To my eye, and taking into account traditional values, I think I am looking at a representation of a coconut palm tree. However, as I say, this is only a guess that cannot ever be confirmed. It could well be his mother in law's eyebrows, for all I know. Regarding keris from Cirebon, Tegal, Banyumas, and other parts of the Island of Jawa. Yes, examples of keris from these areas are very, very scarce. During my life I have had thousands of keris in my possession, and I have seen and handled many thousands more. Amongst these thousands of keris , I could probably count the old examples of complete keris from areas under the influence of Javanese courts other than Surakarta and Jogjakarta ,and excluding East Javanese examples, on the fingers of one hand. Since the end of WWII, Surakarta and Jogjakarta dress has dominated all Javanese keris dress style.

31st August 2006, 04:27 AM	#12
Naga Sasra Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Boca Raton, Florida, USA Posts: 108	Thank you to all of you who responded to this thread, it has been an interesting learning experience with many a good thought and discussion. At this point the consensus point primarily to a Madura origin or less likely East Jawa. The blade older probably tangguh Tuban. What remain as a point of interest is the wrongko, which is unique in design and properly made to be a decorator piece. We can now as a result of this limited discussion segregate the so called Madura/East Jawa tourist keris wrongko into at least three areas of interest. First: the tourist-tourist keris. Second: the ones brought back to Holland by the soldiers. Third: the ones of unique design made for decoration. Mine and the one Frey pictured in the archive, would clearly fall into the third category. Again, thank you all for your participation. Next I will post a piece that will bring our friends from Singapore and Malaysia into the discussion.