KERIS WITH IVORY HILT

[A. G. Maisey]

Yeah, I thought it looked a bit South Sumateraish too.

That type of blade seems to be associated with that part of the world more so than with other places.

[David]

Yep, i am sure you guys are probably right on this one. At least i was on the right island.

[Alam Shah]

The 'mickey mouse' hilt form, spans quite a large geographical region in Sumatra. There are examples on Palembang, Minang and many other pieces.

Adni's classification of hilt forms had identified the hilt as Minangkbau, (based on Malay Art Gallery archives.)

Michael (VVV) have examples of this hilt form on various types of Sumatran keris.
On a Minangkabau's keris:
http://www.kampungnet.com.sg/modules...view_album.php

On a Palembang keris:
http://www.kampungnet.com.sg/modules...view_album.php

In Van Duuren's, The Kris, Page 54, there is a similar form which mentioned it as from South Sumatra.

In Kerner's, Keris-Griffe - Aus Dem Malayischen Archipel, Page 52, Fig: 40, another 'mickey mouse' but only indicated as from Sumatra.

As for whatever left of the sheath, and the blade, it seems Central Sumatra to me.

"Ganja Iras" is a purpose-built piece. Where it was believed, with proper ritual, could be used to penetrate an 'invincible' warrior, (those that practices a kind of mystical 'warrior-magic').

Others have stated before that it is a short-cut, cost saving means... etc. However, in the Malay mystic world, it hold certain values.

[David]

Originally Posted by Alam Shah

Adni's classification of hilt forms had identified the hilt as Minangkbau, (based on Malay Art Gallery archives.)

"Ganja Iras" is a purpose-built piece. Where it was believed, with proper ritual, could be used to penetrate an 'invincible' warrior, (those that practices a kind of mystical 'warrior-magic').

Others have stated before that it is a short-cut, cost saving means... etc. However, in the Malay mystic world, it hold certain values.

Thanks Shahrial. Adni's assessment is what i based my first guess on.

This info on gonjo iras is very interesting to me. As you state, we have had this discussion before and i have never been quite satisfied with the answers. If you have more information on the Malay mystical world view of these type of keris i would love to hear it.

[Alam Shah]

Originally Posted by David

This info on gonjo iras is very interesting to me. As you state, we have had this discussion before and i have never been quite satisfied with the answers. If you have more information on the Malay mystical world view of these type of keris i would love to hear it.

Well, I'll let it rest. I'll suggest that more research be done to satisfy your interest in the topic of the Malay mystical world view.

[rahman]

By the length of the blae and its form, it's a Bahari. It's quite rare for Bahari blades to come in ganja iras form, methinks.

[David]

Rahman, could you please explain why you would classify this blade form as bahari?

[BluErf]

Originally Posted by Alam Shah

The 'mickey mouse' hilt form, spans quite a large geographical region in Sumatra. There are examples on Palembang, Minang and many other pieces.

Adni's classification of hilt forms had identified the hilt as Minangkbau, (based on Malay Art Gallery archives.)

Michael (VVV) have examples of this hilt form on various types of Sumatran keris.
On a Minangkabau's keris:
http://www.kampungnet.com.sg/modules...view_album.php

On a Palembang keris:
http://www.kampungnet.com.sg/modules...view_album.php

In Van Duuren's, The Kris, Page 54, there is a similar form which mentioned it as from South Sumatra.

In Kerner's, Keris-Griffe - Aus Dem Malayischen Archipel, Page 52, Fig: 40, another 'mickey mouse' but only indicated as from Sumatra.

As for whatever left of the sheath, and the blade, it seems Central Sumatra to me.

"Ganja Iras" is a purpose-built piece. Where it was believed, with proper ritual, could be used to penetrate an 'invincible' warrior, (those that practices a kind of mystical 'warrior-magic').

Others have stated before that it is a short-cut, cost saving means... etc. However, in the Malay mystic world, it hold certain values.

Hi Shahrial,

If you look carefully, you are seeing 2 stylistically similar but different hilt forms. The examples you have placed there have ears which don't flare out, but goes straight up the head. A "U" shape.

Carlos' keris hilt has ears that flare out. A "V" shape. Here's another example, though I apologize I only have the side view of it. This hilt is in Paul De Souza's collection. It is a wide "V" shape.

Another thing we can take note - the eyes are different. The minang hilts have more bulging eyes while the "lampung-style" hilts are more "se-daging" (flush with the form) defined by shallow lines.

The blade is not a bahari or an anak alang in my opinion. The greneng doesn't look appropriate. The gandik is too broad and high. The blade is too broad and flat.

[Alam Shah]

Kai Wee,

Good keen observation... . After a long hard look, I do agree.
Thanks for pointing it out. Lampung it is then.

Originally Posted by BluErf

...The blade is not a bahari or an anak alang in my opinion...

Agreed it is not. I find that the tikel alis is also different, a deep groove type.

[David]

To me it appears closest in dapur to jalak ngore, except of course that it is gonjo iras and that the greneng continue past the gonjo line onto the blade itself whereas i believe the greneng is only on the gonjo itself on jalak ngore.
But i am not sure that these specifically designated dapurs forms are held to outside Javanese spheres.

[Alam Shah]

Originally Posted by David

To me it appears closest in dapur to jalak ngore, except of course that it is gonjo iras and that the greneng continue past the gonjo line onto the blade itself whereas i believe the greneng is only on the gonjo itself on jalak ngore.
But i am not sure that these specifically designated dapurs forms are held to outside Javanese spheres.

Ditto that. For the greneng, it actually looks like a Jalak Ngoceh type. Possibly copying the javanese form, but locally manufactured in Sumatra. Just a thought...