Tricky Bugis Keris

[David]

Originally Posted by Alam Shah

Hi David,
I'm not implying that the keris blade is made by a Bugis empu. All I'm saying that it might be made for a Bugis, considering the fittings(?). And the form is not a typical blade, hence the difficulty in placing the origin. Btw, what influence did you see?

Well, like you Shahrial, i am no more than an avid collector and don't have anywhere near the experience that Alan has with keris. My first impression of this blade was, frankly, somewhat influenced by the dress. Since it doesn't look Bugis inluenced to me i thought that it might be Sumatran made under the influence of Javanese keris style. But i do see many of Alan's points. especially about the slope of the gandik. It is not just a matter of the kembang kecang recessing into the gandik, which is indeed common on many Bugis pieces. It is the actual slope of the entire gandik area. If you compare Michael"s example with John's that you most recently linked to you might be able to see what i mean. While this two keris bear an overall resemblance to each other i think that on a point by point basis there are vast differences and that the different origins come clear. If i were a betting man i think i would put my money on Alan's assessment of Michael's keris.

[Alam Shah]

Originally Posted by David

Well, like you Shahrial, i am no more than an avid collector and don't have anywhere near the experience that Alan has with keris.

Indeed. We are here to learn and share... are we not?

Originally Posted by David

My first impression of this blade was, frankly, somewhat influenced by the dress. Since it doesn't look Bugis influenced to me i thought that it might be Sumatran made under the influence of Javanese keris style. But i do see many of Alan's points. Especially about the slope of the gandik. It is not just a matter of the kembang kecang recessing into the gandik, which is indeed common on many Bugis pieces. It is the actual slope of the entire gandik area.

Likewise, I think for most of us. Again another learning experience, for me.

Originally Posted by David

If you compare Michael"s example with John's that you most recently linked to you might be able to see what i mean. While this two keris bear an overall resemblance to each other i think that on a point by point basis there are vast differences and that the different origins come clear.

I somewhat agree. How about the similarities to Keris Kapak Cina? Any comments?

Originally Posted by David

If i were a betting man i think i would put my money on Alan's assessment of Michael's keris.

Well, luckily I not a betting man. How about comments on the fittings?

[David]

Originally Posted by Alam Shah

I somewhat agree. How about the similarities to Keris Kapak Cina? Any comments?

Well, luckily I not a betting man. How about comments on the fittings?

You know, i am afriad i can't really get a good enough look at the keris kapa cina to make a viable conparison. Again, as with John's keris, it bears an overall similarity, but i think that if we examined it piece by piece we would not think there were of the same origin.
As for the fitting, i'm pretty baffled. Bugis influenced Sumatran , Sulawesi and peninsula dresstends to mend together for me. I miss the subtlties.