Panjang for discussion

Alam Shah · 1st February 2010, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freebooter

Further to this I note the Keris with the Tapak Kuda hilt is one of those borderline mysteries, it has a 17inch blade but prior to measuring it, Michael and Kai have noted, at first glance it appears to be a Anak Alang, but within the scope presented here it could be a Panjang but can still be called a long Anak Alang.

The 1st piece you posted, (with the jawa demam hilt) looks more of a Riau origin while the next piece with the blackish hilt, looks more Northern Peninsular (Kelantan) to me.. based on blade form, blade base features and fittings..

BluErf · 2nd February 2010, 06:46 AM

Agree totally with assessment.

For the Riau panjang, I thought the sampir was better made compared to the hilt (the hilt looks more awkward compared to the flowing lines of the sheath). The rough finishing on the hilt does not allow me to clearly see the grain that appears on the sampir, so not sure it is made from the same piece of wood or tree, or even if it was made by the same craftsman.

The pendoko is unusual, I thought. Not sure what to make of it yet. It fits the hilt nicely for sure, but the form/motif is less common.

Gavin Nugent · 2nd February 2010, 07:28 AM

Great input, thanks guys, me I have no specific knowledge of these items so I must take you word and learn the finer details of these pieces I am interested in and am enjoying the learning process.

It is not impossible that these pieces were collected from the regions you note as the original owner of the collection was well travelled. All I know is the pieces have been together and untouched for a very very long time and the collection is that of Northern Sumatra where the owner spent a lot of time.

Being a man of great vision who had an appreciation for ancient arts, his appreciation can can be seen when considering the rarity and variety in the collection such as the Panjang/Jawa marriage and other non Keris examples like an Akar Bahar hilt, Rhino hilt, wootz blade, an undocumented hilt style, scabbard differences and such things and some small gold inlay. Whether with help on the ground or by his own keen eye this was collected remains unknown, there are many unusual and unexplained facets as a whole and despite not dripping with gold or ivory it is an important grouping.

As the Panjang in general is noted as being of status and this hilt marriage rare, how would one deduct a reasonable theory behind its coming to be?
Perhaps bought or given to him by colleagues whilst the collection was being put together?
Through what other means such as trade or marriage could these pieces be found in the Northern Sumatran region?
What other provenanced or documented examples are there like these items?

Thanks in advance for a wonderful discussion.

Gav

VVV · 2nd February 2010, 09:22 AM

I noticed that the original reference picture are lost so I have reposted them below.
On the Panjang-hilt of Gav, doesn't it resemble more the northern Peninsular style of JD?

Michael

Gavin Nugent · 2nd February 2010, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VVV

I noticed that the original reference picture are lost so I have reposted them below.
On the Panjang-hilt of Gav, doesn't it resemble more the northern Peninsular style of JD?

Michael

Thank you Michael, it is a super example you have there.

With the reference to the JD resembling Northern Sumatra, is it the high dorsal peak that denotes this, the oversized JD head or both...or perhaps neither???

To my novice Keris eye the shorter piece presented, the hilt seems to be "of a" style "in profile only" of those presented in Zonneveld....

Gav

BluErf · 2nd February 2010, 12:03 PM

Hi Michael,

It's good to hear from you and see pictures of your beautiful keris again.

Yes, the hilt does have some features which suggest a N Malayan origin, like the sharper beak and the more prominent garuda mungkur, but the overall style of the hilt does not seem consistent with a N Malayan hilt.

The rest of the keris - the sampir (the top part of the sheath), the tekak lipas (the style of the 'chape' at the end of the sheath stem) and the blade - also looks more Riau.

Posting a Pattani JD, a Riau JD, and a rotated picture of the 1st panjang's JD for comparison.

VVV · 2nd February 2010, 12:56 PM

Hi Kai Wee,

Long time and good to hear from you too.
I have been quite busy lately with non-keris-related matters.
Thanks for the pictures which clarifies the difference.

Michael

2nd February 2010, 07:28 AM	#3
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Interesting and thank you! Great input, thanks guys, me I have no specific knowledge of these items so I must take you word and learn the finer details of these pieces I am interested in and am enjoying the learning process. It is not impossible that these pieces were collected from the regions you note as the original owner of the collection was well travelled. All I know is the pieces have been together and untouched for a very very long time and the collection is that of Northern Sumatra where the owner spent a lot of time. Being a man of great vision who had an appreciation for ancient arts, his appreciation can can be seen when considering the rarity and variety in the collection such as the Panjang/Jawa marriage and other non Keris examples like an Akar Bahar hilt, Rhino hilt, wootz blade, an undocumented hilt style, scabbard differences and such things and some small gold inlay. Whether with help on the ground or by his own keen eye this was collected remains unknown, there are many unusual and unexplained facets as a whole and despite not dripping with gold or ivory it is an important grouping. As the Panjang in general is noted as being of status and this hilt marriage rare, how would one deduct a reasonable theory behind its coming to be? Perhaps bought or given to him by colleagues whilst the collection was being put together? Through what other means such as trade or marriage could these pieces be found in the Northern Sumatran region? What other provenanced or documented examples are there like these items? Thanks in advance for a wonderful discussion. Gav Last edited by freebooter; 2nd February 2010 at 10:29 AM.

2nd February 2010, 09:22 AM	#4
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	I noticed that the original reference picture are lost so I have reposted them below. On the Panjang-hilt of Gav, doesn't it resemble more the northern Peninsular style of JD? Michael Attached Images

2nd February 2010, 12:03 PM	#6
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Hi Michael, It's good to hear from you and see pictures of your beautiful keris again. Yes, the hilt does have some features which suggest a N Malayan origin, like the sharper beak and the more prominent garuda mungkur, but the overall style of the hilt does not seem consistent with a N Malayan hilt. The rest of the keris - the sampir (the top part of the sheath), the tekak lipas (the style of the 'chape' at the end of the sheath stem) and the blade - also looks more Riau. Posting a Pattani JD, a Riau JD, and a rotated picture of the 1st panjang's JD for comparison. Attached Images

2nd February 2010, 06:46 AM	#2
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Agree totally with assessment. For the Riau panjang, I thought the sampir was better made compared to the hilt (the hilt looks more awkward compared to the flowing lines of the sheath). The rough finishing on the hilt does not allow me to clearly see the grain that appears on the sampir, so not sure it is made from the same piece of wood or tree, or even if it was made by the same craftsman. The pendoko is unusual, I thought. Not sure what to make of it yet. It fits the hilt nicely for sure, but the form/motif is less common.

2nd February 2010, 12:56 PM	#7
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Hi Kai Wee, Long time and good to hear from you too. I have been quite busy lately with non-keris-related matters. Thanks for the pictures which clarifies the difference. Michael