A Bugis keris for comments

[BluErf]

The E Sumatran keris in question.

[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.

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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').

[rasdan]

Some time ago i had a new Palembang piece. Its actually a javaneese keris fitted in a Palembang dress. The tang is obviously been cut away. Thats where i begin to observe that javaneese kerisses in Malay dress be it new or old, most of them had their tang shorten. Unless, of course it may not been cut if fitted with a taller jawa demam hilt. However we generally can observe that javaneese tang is much slenderer compared to Malay/Bugis etc tangs. Bottom line, before purchasing a keris, the tang size and length is really important. "Bugis" empus in Aeng Tong Tong already discovered this but then theres a lot more for them to learn. In a few years, they'll catch to the beat.

[BluErf]

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]

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]

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

[BluErf]

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

[DAHenkel]

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]

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]

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.

[Alam Shah]

Thanks all. I having "indigestion" right now. Will get back soon, i hope.
Dave, if you don't mind. Bring it on. May be confusing, but what the heck, it will be a good learning experience.

[rasdan]

Originally Posted by DAHenkel

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.

Whoa, i'm a bit dizzy right now. It seems that there are no general rule of determining origin of Sumatran kerisses. Some bugis looks Malay, Minang etc. Heres some basic conclusion (on the dress) i can made:

1. The penghulu sampir originated in South Sumatra and the laquer is Palembang work

2. Sulawesi kerisses has a bit smaller sampir compared to penghulu ones and the batang is tapering with a flaring buntut.

3. East Sumatran kerisses are closer to their Sulawesi cousins, but have some other influence such as Minang etc. However flaring buntut is not a must.

4. Pendongkoks be it Long "necked" or the shorter "dulang" type can be either Sumatran or Sulawesi.

5. Riau kerises are generally of composite influences, many dont have flaring buntut.

If there is anything incorrect regarding the conclusions, can somebody correct me? Can i say that Sulawesi keris MUST have tapering batang?

Phew... and this is only regarding the dress, the blade is another thick chapter. hee..hee..

RSword, love your example, especially the one with the gold oversheath. The blade looks very close to Dave's giant bugis keris which is presumed originated in Sumbawa.

[ganjawulung]

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...