Pattani Naga Keris

[Greybeard]

Now I can post some pictures of my Naga (Seluman?) keris -- old or recently
Maduran made?

Heinz

[ganjawulung]

Originally Posted by Greybeard

Now I can post some pictures of my Naga (Seluman?) keris -- old or recently
Maduran made?

Yes, Naga Siluman (you may spell it too as 'seluman', although the correct spelling is 'siluman') Luk Tigabelas (13 luks). But surely, this is a javanese naga, I don't think it is Pattani.

Usually we count the luks, because the common Naga Siluman comes with 7 luks. But some Naga Siluman has possibility to have 9 and 11 luks too. Even yours is 13 luks. As does "carita" dhapur which usually 11 luks but some caritas also possible to have 15 luks (carita buntala) and 17 luks (carita kalenthang).
In daily chat among collectors in Jawa, this type of naga ornaments we call it as "naga primitif" (primitive naga), simple naga ornament. And the disappearing of the naga body -- we call it "naga siluman", invisible naga...

Could be old, could be recently made, it depends on the real keris in hand. I have the similar primitive naga, but not in keris size. Only palm-sized keris, or small patrem (pictures below), an amulet type of keris with rough naga carving...

GANJAWULUNG

[Greybeard]

Hello Ganjawulung

Naga Siluman or Naga Seluman -- I'm aware of both terms, but I never knew which is the correct one. Thank you for clarification. Then I have a keris
Naga Siluman with "too many luk" ...

My 5-luk "Jimat" keris (length of the blade without pesi: 11 cm) shows the same style of "Naga primitive". Interestingly, when looking at this relief upside-down there seems to be a human face in profile ...

Regards,

Heinz

[ganjawulung]

Originally Posted by Greybeard

Naga Siluman or Naga Seluman -- I'm aware of both terms, but I never knew which is the correct one. Thank you for clarification. Then I have a keris Naga Siluman with "too many luk" ...

No Heinz, I don't think 13 luks are too many for javanese keris. The number of luks in javanese kerises commonly until 13. And from 15 luks or more, we call it as "keris kalawija" or anomali kerises, and does exist. Dhapur of Naga Sasra, Naga Lare and Naga Penganten also comes with 13 luks. It is still common, Naga dhapur with 13 luks...

Originally Posted by Greybeard

My 5-luk "Jimat" keris (length of the blade without pesi: 11 cm) shows the same style of "Naga primitive". Interestingly, when looking at this relief upside-down there seems to be a human face in profile ..

The primitive motif of this old cundrik -- a variant of sajen kerises -- also reminds me of the primitive motif of Naga. Or human head, under the Puthut? Just for comparison...

GANJAWULUNG

[Greybeard]

Originally Posted by ganjawulung

The primitive motif of this old cundrik -- a variant of sajen kerises -- also reminds me of the primitive motif of Naga. Or human head, under the Puthut?
GANJAWULUNG

Very interesting! I wonder if this Naga type (or human head) has a special magical meaning or purpose.

Heinz