Nice real old one from Bali

David · 14th October 2007, 05:55 PM

Sorry Ben, this isn't working for me either. Can you provide a direct link?

Henk · 14th October 2007, 08:34 PM

A direct link isn't possible. I copied the text and picked up the pictures.
I hope I don't brake any rules. If it turned out I did, moderators, please, do your job.

Kris
E 793

Object type: Other
Materials: Gold, rubies, diamonds, iron, nickle, wood
Measurements: Thickness: 5 cm.
Creator name: unknown
Where was it made: Indonesia; Bali
Time period: 19th Century
Function: Regalia. This State Kris was used in ceremonies to
ward off evil through the raksasa (giants) images on
the kris.
Acquisition: The kris came from Puri Klungkung, Bali. It was taken during a military expedition by the Colonial Government against the Klungkung Kingdom in 1908. The army took the regalia from the King and handed it to the government in Batavia. It was the rule that part of the booty from military expeditions would be given to the National Museum in Batavia and part of it was to be shipped to the Netherlands.
Owner: Museum Nasional

Why is this a masterpiece
The kris was not shipped to the Netherlands but instead remained in Indonesia. This gives it a specific historic value for the museum.

History of the object
The kris was part of the regalia of the Kingdom of Klungkung in Bali. It shows rakasa (giants) images, which is typically Balinese.

David · 15th October 2007, 04:12 AM

Is that a raksasa or is it Bayu?
Pretty dress with some nice stones. Too bad the pendok was damaged. Looks like nice gold work. It is a shame they don't show us the blade though.

Henk · 15th October 2007, 10:07 AM

David,

I think the hilt is Bayu. The text is from the museum itself and it says that the keris has pictures of raksasa on it. Probably in gold.

Indeed a shame they didn't make a picture of the blade which is actually the most interesting part of the piece.

Mick · 15th October 2007, 10:43 PM

I believe that there is only one keris dressed I this manner in existence. It has been in the museum in Jakarta for years. It had been displayed as damaged until it was borrowed by Helen Jessup for a United Stated tour in 1990. It was repaired specifically for this tour. I believe that the photos in the referenced link show the back side of the dress.

Here is a photo of the piece as it was displayed. You can make out the Balinese Kala that is on the front.

There is a beautiful picture of the repaired piece on page 162 of Helen Jessup’s “Court Arts of Indonesia” which was published by the Asia Society Galleries, New York as a catalogue of the exhibition.

Of further interest there is a picture of a fine old painted Balinese sheath further along in the referenced link. These are possibly more rare than the golden covered pieces.

Battara · 16th October 2007, 12:54 AM

I agree that this is Battara (

) Bayu. I have seen this documented in several books in the past. A real nice piece. Yes, shame I too have never seen the blade. Still thanks for the pictures.

David · 16th October 2007, 04:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mick

There is a beautiful picture of the repaired piece on page 162 of Helen Jessup’s “Court Arts of Indonesia” which was published by the Asia Society Galleries, New York as a catalogue of the exhibition.

Thanks Mick. I knew i had seen this keris before. The picture in Jessup's book (like all the pics there) is indeed beautifully done and really shows just how exquisite this dress is. Unfortunately there is still no photo of the blade.

A. G. Maisey · 16th October 2007, 04:45 AM

Here are a few pics of another gold Bali handle.

http://kerisattosanaji.com/Baligoldhandle.html

14th October 2007, 08:34 PM	#2
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	A direct link isn't possible. I copied the text and picked up the pictures. I hope I don't brake any rules. If it turned out I did, moderators, please, do your job. Kris E 793 Object type: Other Materials: Gold, rubies, diamonds, iron, nickle, wood Measurements: Thickness: 5 cm. Creator name: unknown Where was it made: Indonesia; Bali Time period: 19th Century Function: Regalia. This State Kris was used in ceremonies to ward off evil through the raksasa (giants) images on the kris. Acquisition: The kris came from Puri Klungkung, Bali. It was taken during a military expedition by the Colonial Government against the Klungkung Kingdom in 1908. The army took the regalia from the King and handed it to the government in Batavia. It was the rule that part of the booty from military expeditions would be given to the National Museum in Batavia and part of it was to be shipped to the Netherlands. Owner: Museum Nasional Why is this a masterpiece The kris was not shipped to the Netherlands but instead remained in Indonesia. This gives it a specific historic value for the museum. History of the object The kris was part of the regalia of the Kingdom of Klungkung in Bali. It shows rakasa (giants) images, which is typically Balinese. Attached Images

15th October 2007, 10:43 PM	#5
Mick Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Orlando Posts: 104	I believe that there is only one keris dressed I this manner in existence. It has been in the museum in Jakarta for years. It had been displayed as damaged until it was borrowed by Helen Jessup for a United Stated tour in 1990. It was repaired specifically for this tour. I believe that the photos in the referenced link show the back side of the dress. Here is a photo of the piece as it was displayed. You can make out the Balinese Kala that is on the front. There is a beautiful picture of the repaired piece on page 162 of Helen Jessup’s “Court Arts of Indonesia” which was published by the Asia Society Galleries, New York as a catalogue of the exhibition. Of further interest there is a picture of a fine old painted Balinese sheath further along in the referenced link. These are possibly more rare than the golden covered pieces. Attached Images

14th October 2007, 05:55 PM	#1
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	Sorry Ben, this isn't working for me either. Can you provide a direct link?

15th October 2007, 04:12 AM	#3
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	Is that a raksasa or is it Bayu? Pretty dress with some nice stones. Too bad the pendok was damaged. Looks like nice gold work. It is a shame they don't show us the blade though.

15th October 2007, 10:07 AM	#4
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	David, I think the hilt is Bayu. The text is from the museum itself and it says that the keris has pictures of raksasa on it. Probably in gold. Indeed a shame they didn't make a picture of the blade which is actually the most interesting part of the piece.

16th October 2007, 12:54 AM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	I agree that this is Battara ( ) Bayu. I have seen this documented in several books in the past. A real nice piece. Yes, shame I too have never seen the blade. Still thanks for the pictures.

16th October 2007, 04:45 AM	#8
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,992	Here are a few pics of another gold Bali handle. http://kerisattosanaji.com/Baligoldhandle.html