A Bugis keris for comments

BluErf · 13th March 2005, 02:51 AM

Something off the discussion of this keris -- what makes a keris kodi a keris kodi? Is it quality/form of the blade, the original intent for the blade at the time of manufacture, or does it just apply to keris blades that have been sold to another island, regardless of quality or intent?

We see Javanese blades in Bugis or Malay dress all the time. I recently acquired an E Sumatran keris (or so I thought) with a blade that was clearly E Javanese. What was more amazing was that after a few days, I saw another keris (belonging to another collector) in Sulawesi dress, with the same E Javanese form of blade. These blades are generally well-made, with full perabots and really nice ron dha, greneng, kembang kacang, sogokan and luks. Would these be considered 'trade blades'?

If a blade like this one (currently in Solo dress) were to get sold to another island, would it be considered a 'trade blade'? The way I see it this blade may be slightly nicer than Alam Shah's blade, but essentially of the same level.

BluErf · 13th March 2005, 03:15 AM

The E Sumatran keris in question.

DAHenkel · 13th March 2005, 09:41 AM

Kodi, as most of us know by now know, comes from the Javanese kodiat. It refers to a bundle of "20", in this case, kerises. These were trade blades made in Java for sale and sold in quantity. As with most things I should think they would have been of varying "quality" based on where and when they wer produced, as well as who produced them. Most would have been fairly average, a few probably less so and some may have been very nice indeed. Of course this can only be presumed as we know very little about the keris trade at this point.

Trade blades should not however be confused with high quality, high status pieces which were gifts from the courts of Java for earstwhile vassals. This is especially true of South Sumatra, which was ruled by Javanese appointed regents until about the time the Dutch took over. So, if you do come across a court quality keris its as likely as not its in this category.

As for your E. Sumatran keris Blu, I'd say actually that the dress is Sulawesi Bugis. And a very nice keris at that. Whether the blade is Javanese or not it another question. I have seen several Bugis keris with Javanese looking keris. Its likely as not these were trade blades, but they may also have been locally produced.

rasdan · 13th March 2005, 10:00 AM

This keris was said to be a Bugis keris. I agree with that. What do u guys think? Is it a Sulawesi piece? The sampir looks new and in Minang (?) style. Some books refer this kind of sampir as Sulawesi keris. Is it true?

rasdan · 13th March 2005, 10:13 AM

Another thing, is this a Sulawesi keris? As stated in Blu's posting in the other thread, Strait bugis uses lower pendongkok. This one uses that kind of pendongkok, but i think its Sulawesi due to the akwardness of the dress. It kinda wider than average. However the blade is thinner than an average bugis keris. What do u think of the quality of the blade? I think its average. Can u guys please comment? Can somebody post some pictures of Sulawesi Bugis keris and Sumatran/Bugis keris to ease the explaination? Would appreciate that very much.

BluErf · 13th March 2005, 10:30 AM

Rasdan -- I think the sampir on this keris is more Minang than Sulawesi. I suspect this keris is a composite keris with handle, blade and sheath from different sources. For Minang kerises, I've never seen blades such as this. The pendoko form is rather unfamiliar, but I think it could actually be straits Bugis form.

Straits Bugis kerises attached

Alam Shah · 15th March 2005, 03:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rasdan

This keris was said to be a Bugis keris. I agree with that. What do u guys think? Is it a Sulawesi piece? The sampir looks new and in Minang (?) style. Some books refer this kind of sampir as Sulawesi keris. Is it true?

The sampir looks more Minangkabau Sumatra (Frey's The Kris, 3rd Ed, pg.65-67).
The blade however, looks more Javanese, (Dapur Sengkelat ?).
Hilt cup, looks like a variation of the Bugis cup.
Just my opinion, I may be wrong.

rasdan · 15th March 2005, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Pak Rasdan can solve this mystery -- can you show a shot of the top of the hilt?

Sorry Pak Rahman, i dont have that picture. The keris belongs to Museum Negara in KL. The gold keris exhibition is still going on now and I took the pictures about 4-5 months back.

Alam - I think this is just a composite keris. Everything is wrong. Perhaps the dress were newly made and the tukang thought i may be cool like that. And mu opinion the mata may be javaneese or most likely south sumatran. If its javaneese it is most likely the tang of this keris had been cut to be fitted with a kerdas hilt.

Alam Shah · 15th March 2005, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rasdan

Alam - I think this is just a composite keris. Everything is wrong. Perhaps the dress were newly made and the tukang thought i may be cool like that. And my opinion the mata may be javaneese or most likely south sumatran. If its javaneese it is most likely the tang of this keris had been cut to be fitted with a kerdas hilt.

Good observation on the tang difference.
According to some esoteric belief, a cut tang (or pesi), might weaken or destroy the strength of the initial spirit within ('hilang semangat keris').

BluErf · 13th March 2005, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAHenkel

As for your E. Sumatran keris Blu, I'd say actually that the dress is Sulawesi Bugis.

What about the lack of buntut on the batang? This batang has the bulge near the top, but has the typical 'rounded' bottom of Sumatran sheaths.

I hear that keris forms on E Sumatra are heavily influenced by Sulawesi forms, and so we see kerises which smacks of Sulawesi, but are actually produced locally in Sumatra.

rasdan · 13th March 2005, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Another thing, is this a Sulawesi keris? As stated in Blu's posting in the other thread, Strait bugis uses lower pendongkok. This one uses that kind of pendongkok, but i think its Sulawesi due to the akwardness of the dress. It kinda wider than average. However the blade is thinner than an average bugis keris. What do u think of the quality of the blade? I think its average. Can u guys please comment? Can somebody post some pictures of Sulawesi Bugis keris and Sumatran/Bugis keris to ease the explaination? Would appreciate that very much.

These are the pictures of my second posting. Forgot to attach in the message.

Looks Sulawesi to me. But, what about the blade? Its thin and looks like straits bugis ones.

BluErf · 13th March 2005, 01:52 PM

That's a classical Riau Bugis keris, just like mine on the brown background.

BluErf · 13th March 2005, 02:01 PM

Another Sulawesi keris with a N Malay (?) blade. We see all sorts of keris forms in Sulawesi dress...

DAHenkel · 13th March 2005, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BluErf

What about the lack of buntut on the batang? This batang has the bulge near the top, but has the typical 'rounded' bottom of Sumatran sheaths.

I hear that keris forms on E Sumatra are heavily influenced by Sulawesi forms, and so we see kerises which smacks of Sulawesi, but are actually produced locally in Sumatra.

Could easily have lost the buntut and been re-worked or perhaps the entire batang is a replacement. Actually with the exception of Palembang you rarely see the batang terminate in a - for lack of a better term - iras buntut. While frequently rounded, they are usually tekak belalai or patat lipas style, made from a separate piece, typically of different material.

The entire Straits & Peninsular region is heavily influenced by Bugis forms and they are, occasionally difficult to tell apart. But I don't think so in this case. The sampir form and especially the "swollen" throat and tapering batang are classic Sulawesi.

Rasdan - you've posted pictures of a magnificent S. Sumatran Bugis keris. The lacquer is Palembang and a dead giveaway, as is the sheath form which, as has been frequently noted before, is popularly referred to as a "chieftain" or "penghulu" style. The blade is more or less typical for S. Sumatra and not necessarily a bad blade. It's clearly shows some heavy wear through age or neglect.

BluErf has already posted some fine examples of Straits Bugis keris. Here are some confirmed Sulawesi keris to compare.

DAHenkel · 13th March 2005, 01:58 PM

Next, a selection of East Sumatran Bugis for comparison. Note again - East Sumatra is highly varied. Some seem more Minang, some more Bugis, and some Malay.

DAHenkel · 13th March 2005, 02:09 PM

Also, while we're at it, here are a few Riau keris as well.

Confused yet? Me too - but that's what's fun about these things. And I'm only including archetypal pieces here - If I sprang some of the wierder stuff on you you'd be even more confused.

ganjawulung · 8th October 2011, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAHenkel

Kodi, as most of us know by now know, comes from the Javanese kodiat. It refers to a bundle of "20", in this case, kerises. These were trade blades made in Java for sale and sold in quantity. As with most things I should think they would have been of varying "quality" based on where and when they wer produced, as well as who produced them. Most would have been fairly average, a few probably less so and some may have been very nice indeed. Of course this can only be presumed as we know very little about the keris trade at this point.

Just another illustration, yes, "kodi" means a bundle of "20" in javanese term as Dave has said. Usually we use this "kodi" term in trading or buying clothes, or batiks in javanese markets like Pasar Klewer in Solo, or Pasar Beringharjo in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. One "kodi" of batiks or clothes, we just say it "sak kodi" or "sekodi" (one kodi), "rong kodi" (two kodi), "telung kodi" (three kodi) etc... The "kodi" items, or not so high quality of things on trade term, we use to call it "something kodian". If it subjects to batiks, then we call it "batik kodian", and if it subjects to keris, then "keris kodian". So, "kodian" is adjectif for certain trade things, not high quality ones...

Alam Shah · 13th March 2005, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BluErf

If a blade like this one (currently in Solo dress) were to get sold to another island, would it be considered a 'trade blade'? The way I see it this blade may be slightly nicer than Alam Shah's blade, but essentially of the same level.

Blu - I agree that your blade is nicer, looks more refined, while mine is cruder.

RSWORD · 13th March 2005, 07:22 PM

Great thread and great examples of Bugis/Sulawesi/Pelambang Keris. I wanted to add two examples to the thread as interesting(potentially) variants. Example 1

RSWORD · 13th March 2005, 07:25 PM

Here is the 2nd example, much simpler dress, but an intereting blade.

rahman · 14th March 2005, 01:15 AM

Thanks all for nthe wonderful examples -- and the utter confusio you've all generated!

It would be most useful for a beginner like me if you can 'decompose' this discussion and generate what you see as defining charactersitics of the different types of keris -- blades, sampir, batang and all.

Otherwise, I'm looking (and drooling) at all these examples and not knowing what to look out for. BTW, what's this 'throat/ you're talking about earlier on?

Would really appreciate this...

13th March 2005, 02:51 AM	#1
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Something off the discussion of this keris -- what makes a keris kodi a keris kodi? Is it quality/form of the blade, the original intent for the blade at the time of manufacture, or does it just apply to keris blades that have been sold to another island, regardless of quality or intent? We see Javanese blades in Bugis or Malay dress all the time. I recently acquired an E Sumatran keris (or so I thought) with a blade that was clearly E Javanese. What was more amazing was that after a few days, I saw another keris (belonging to another collector) in Sulawesi dress, with the same E Javanese form of blade. These blades are generally well-made, with full perabots and really nice ron dha, greneng, kembang kacang, sogokan and luks. Would these be considered 'trade blades'? If a blade like this one (currently in Solo dress) were to get sold to another island, would it be considered a 'trade blade'? The way I see it this blade may be slightly nicer than Alam Shah's blade, but essentially of the same level. Attached Images

13th March 2005, 03:15 AM	#2
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	The E Sumatran keris in question. Attached Images

13th March 2005, 10:00 AM	#4
rasdan Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kuala Lumpur Posts: 368	This keris was said to be a Bugis keris. I agree with that. What do u guys think? Is it a Sulawesi piece? The sampir looks new and in Minang (?) style. Some books refer this kind of sampir as Sulawesi keris. Is it true? Attached Images

13th March 2005, 10:30 AM	#6
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Rasdan -- I think the sampir on this keris is more Minang than Sulawesi. I suspect this keris is a composite keris with handle, blade and sheath from different sources. For Minang kerises, I've never seen blades such as this. The pendoko form is rather unfamiliar, but I think it could actually be straits Bugis form. Straits Bugis kerises attached Attached Images

13th March 2005, 02:01 PM	#13
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Another Sulawesi keris with a N Malay (?) blade. We see all sorts of keris forms in Sulawesi dress... Attached Images

13th March 2005, 09:41 AM	#3
DAHenkel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 125	Kodi, as most of us know by now know, comes from the Javanese kodiat. It refers to a bundle of "20", in this case, kerises. These were trade blades made in Java for sale and sold in quantity. As with most things I should think they would have been of varying "quality" based on where and when they wer produced, as well as who produced them. Most would have been fairly average, a few probably less so and some may have been very nice indeed. Of course this can only be presumed as we know very little about the keris trade at this point. Trade blades should not however be confused with high quality, high status pieces which were gifts from the courts of Java for earstwhile vassals. This is especially true of South Sumatra, which was ruled by Javanese appointed regents until about the time the Dutch took over. So, if you do come across a court quality keris its as likely as not its in this category. As for your E. Sumatran keris Blu, I'd say actually that the dress is Sulawesi Bugis. And a very nice keris at that. Whether the blade is Javanese or not it another question. I have seen several Bugis keris with Javanese looking keris. Its likely as not these were trade blades, but they may also have been locally produced.

13th March 2005, 10:13 AM	#5
rasdan Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kuala Lumpur Posts: 368	Another thing, is this a Sulawesi keris? As stated in Blu's posting in the other thread, Strait bugis uses lower pendongkok. This one uses that kind of pendongkok, but i think its Sulawesi due to the akwardness of the dress. It kinda wider than average. However the blade is thinner than an average bugis keris. What do u think of the quality of the blade? I think its average. Can u guys please comment? Can somebody post some pictures of Sulawesi Bugis keris and Sumatran/Bugis keris to ease the explaination? Would appreciate that very much.

13th March 2005, 01:52 PM	#12
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	That's a classical Riau Bugis keris, just like mine on the brown background.

13th March 2005, 01:58 PM	#15
DAHenkel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 125	Next, a selection of East Sumatran Bugis for comparison. Note again - East Sumatra is highly varied. Some seem more Minang, some more Bugis, and some Malay. Attached Images

13th March 2005, 02:09 PM	#16
DAHenkel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 125	Also, while we're at it, here are a few Riau keris as well. Confused yet? Me too - but that's what's fun about these things. And I'm only including archetypal pieces here - If I sprang some of the wierder stuff on you you'd be even more confused. Attached Images

13th March 2005, 07:22 PM	#19
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,086	Great thread and great examples of Bugis/Sulawesi/Pelambang Keris. I wanted to add two examples to the thread as interesting(potentially) variants. Example 1 Attached Images

13th March 2005, 07:25 PM	#20
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,086	Here is the 2nd example, much simpler dress, but an intereting blade. Attached Images

14th March 2005, 01:15 AM	#21
rahman Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 84	Thanks all for nthe wonderful examples -- and the utter confusio you've all generated! It would be most useful for a beginner like me if you can 'decompose' this discussion and generate what you see as defining charactersitics of the different types of keris -- blades, sampir, batang and all. Otherwise, I'm looking (and drooling) at all these examples and not knowing what to look out for. BTW, what's this 'throat/ you're talking about earlier on? Would really appreciate this...