Brass hilted kris for comment

wolviex · 5th February 2005, 05:41 PM

Thank you for your replies so far, but... well.... is good or bad one ?? How do you judge this kris ??

Battara · 5th February 2005, 06:12 PM

If someone offered me this for sale, I would refuse it because of the damage on the hilt and the mendak. The mendak (ring) is not a problem to replace, however, the hilt is a different story. It would either have to be replaced or it would need major restoration from someone on Bali. I must also note that the rest of the dress, like the scabbard, would need to be present as well.

nechesh · 5th February 2005, 06:32 PM

As everyone has commented, it is a shame about the hilt. I know this form as Garantiman, but i believe Frey has used the word Grantim as Henk has stated. The snake-like piece you describe i believe is supposed to represent a lotus sprout. Though only made of brass, i would still say this was a nice example as it is actually woven material, not just a cast piece of metal as some of the later examples of this form were.
The mendak does look more like an adaptation than an authentic piece, made to fit better with the bone underneath.
The blade is not unattractive, and in response to Jose's comment, if it was offered to me for sale it would all depend on just how much it was offered for.

wolviex · 5th February 2005, 07:39 PM

Yes, I truly understand your dissapointment about the damage of the hilt, but now in museum, far away from the place of birth, it has only a historical and curiosity value. But my question is, how about brass hilts in general, is it really (as Stone has ascribed, if I do remember well) rather rare form of hilt. Most of you krises presented seems to be wooden hilted anyway.
And other one: any suggestions about age of this piece. I know it's the hardest thing to define, but do you think it's 20th or could be 2nd half of 19th century, for example ? Stupid question anyway, I know, but being completly green, I'm going to ask more of them

nechesh · 5th February 2005, 08:37 PM

I think that hilts made of metal are far more common from Bali then elsewhere in the area. It is not unusual, but other materials are still more common to find. Wood would still be the most common material. My guess would be that your example is late 19th - early 20th Century.

Sang Keris · 6th February 2005, 12:53 AM

i think it's not balinesse keris , but from Lombok.

nechesh · 6th February 2005, 05:11 AM

Weta, as far as i know this style of hilt can be found on both Bali and Lombok keris. There is very little if any difference between them as Lombok was a colony of Bali for many years and under it's influence.

5th February 2005, 05:41 PM	#1
wolviex Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Poland, Krakow Posts: 418	Thank you for your replies so far, but... well.... is good or bad one ?? How do you judge this kris ??

5th February 2005, 06:12 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	If someone offered me this for sale, I would refuse it because of the damage on the hilt and the mendak. The mendak (ring) is not a problem to replace, however, the hilt is a different story. It would either have to be replaced or it would need major restoration from someone on Bali. I must also note that the rest of the dress, like the scabbard, would need to be present as well.

5th February 2005, 06:32 PM	#3
nechesh Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 940	As everyone has commented, it is a shame about the hilt. I know this form as Garantiman, but i believe Frey has used the word Grantim as Henk has stated. The snake-like piece you describe i believe is supposed to represent a lotus sprout. Though only made of brass, i would still say this was a nice example as it is actually woven material, not just a cast piece of metal as some of the later examples of this form were. The mendak does look more like an adaptation than an authentic piece, made to fit better with the bone underneath. The blade is not unattractive, and in response to Jose's comment, if it was offered to me for sale it would all depend on just how much it was offered for.

5th February 2005, 07:39 PM	#4
wolviex Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Poland, Krakow Posts: 418	Yes, I truly understand your dissapointment about the damage of the hilt, but now in museum, far away from the place of birth, it has only a historical and curiosity value. But my question is, how about brass hilts in general, is it really (as Stone has ascribed, if I do remember well) rather rare form of hilt. Most of you krises presented seems to be wooden hilted anyway. And other one: any suggestions about age of this piece. I know it's the hardest thing to define, but do you think it's 20th or could be 2nd half of 19th century, for example ? Stupid question anyway, I know, but being completly green, I'm going to ask more of them

5th February 2005, 08:37 PM	#5
nechesh Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 940	I think that hilts made of metal are far more common from Bali then elsewhere in the area. It is not unusual, but other materials are still more common to find. Wood would still be the most common material. My guess would be that your example is late 19th - early 20th Century.

6th February 2005, 12:53 AM	#6
Sang Keris Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Indonesia Posts: 46	i think it's not balinesse keris , but from Lombok.

6th February 2005, 05:11 AM	#7
nechesh Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 940	Weta, as far as i know this style of hilt can be found on both Bali and Lombok keris. There is very little if any difference between them as Lombok was a colony of Bali for many years and under it's influence.