New book: 'Iron Ancestors, Kris Sajen, Kris Majapahit and related Objects'

Albert · 4th November 2010, 10:23 PM

Book review by Albert van Zonneveld

Title: Iron Ancestors. Kris Sajen, Kris Majapahit and related Objects.
Author: Theo Alkema (ed.)
Contributors: Ben Grishaaver (photography), Karel Sirag (drawings)
Publisher: C. Zwartenkot Art Books - Leiden 2010
[url]www.ethnographicartbooks.com[/url]
ISBN: 978-90-5450-011-7
Format: 29 x 22.5 cm
Cloth bound with jacket
Pages: 222
Illustrations: 288 colour photographs and 27 b/w drawings
Language: English
Price: € 60.00

This publication titled 'Iron Ancestors. Kris Sajen, Kris Majapahit and related Objects' deals with a remarkable type of Javanese kris: the kris [I]sajen[/I] also known as the kris [I]Majapahit[/I]. It is a weapon, or rather an amulet, dating from a distant past and entirely forged from a single piece of iron. This book is the first to be almost fully devoted to these krisses. In order to introduce these `iron ancestors', the author drew from his own extensive collection as well as from other private collections. The National Museum of Ethnology (Leiden, The Netherlands) contributed by way of nine krisses, including the kris [I]sajen[/I] found in 1842 inside the main [I]stupa[/I] of [I]candi[/I] Borobudur. In addition, the Tropenmuseum (Amsterdam) provided the `kris Knaud', the only kris that carries a date [I]in casu[/I] 1264 of the Saka Era that corresponds with 1342 AD.

Consecutively, the following subjects are discussed: the acquisition of the author's collection, the kris in general, his explanation of the term `iron ancestors', the kris [I]sajen[/I] which occurs in twelve types and several varying models, very small krisses, krisses from the Majapahit period (1294-1527 AD), the [I]badi[/I] (where the head of the small figure that shapes the grip faces the cutting edge), the [I]kudi[/I] (i.e. a fancifully shaped knife), figures depicted on and in the blade, and examples of fakes. An extensive bibliography is furthermore included.

The book is abundantly illustrated. Almost every page counts one or more illustrations depicting 'iron ancestors'. The quality of the photographs taken by Ben Grishaaver is nothing less than magnificent. One would expect them to exude a black and white sphere when dealing with objects entirely made of iron. However, thanks to state-of-the-art exposure techniques these photographs reveal the smallest details of these krisses while not discarding their subtle hues. In addition, Karel Sirag's exquisite drawings supply an extra dimension to a selection of the objects already presented. The reposed, finely balanced book design by JNJ-studio must also be credited. The space created on each page allows the beauty of these objects to be fully admired.

The choice and flow of words differ from what we usually come across in comparable literature. `Iron Ancestors' is written in the first-person narrative. The author expresses himself in an anecdotal style while sharing his experiences. It is therefore an easy read, but at the same time somewhat sketchy. One must, nevertheless conclude: never before has such a huge amount of information on this type of kris been accumulated in a single publication. For one reason or other, any indication of pedigree is not included when discussing the majority of the weapons kept at the Leiden Museum of Ethnology. This is indeed rather unfortunate as they are quite old and mostly acquired by the above museum between 1890 and 1905.

All in all, it is an outstanding and important book that fills a hiatus regarding the literature on krisses. Plenty has been written on this subject in a broad sense, on the shapes of blades, on [I]pamor[/I], on he types of hilts, etc. Any information, however, on the kris [I]sajen[/I] or kris [I]Majapahit[/I] is almost entirely lacking until now. With the publication of 'Iron Ancestors. Kris Sajen, Kris Majapahit and related Objects', this shortcoming has been redeemed. It is indeed indispensable for those interested in Javanese culture in general, as well as for aficionados of the kris in particular. Highly recommended!

Albert · 4th November 2010, 10:39 PM

The cover of the book.

4th November 2010, 10:23 PM	#1
Albert Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 191	New book: 'Iron Ancestors, Kris Sajen, Kris Majapahit and related Objects' Book review by Albert van Zonneveld Title: Iron Ancestors. Kris Sajen, Kris Majapahit and related Objects. Author: Theo Alkema (ed.) Contributors: Ben Grishaaver (photography), Karel Sirag (drawings) Publisher: C. Zwartenkot Art Books - Leiden 2010 [url]www.ethnographicartbooks.com[/url] ISBN: 978-90-5450-011-7 Format: 29 x 22.5 cm Cloth bound with jacket Pages: 222 Illustrations: 288 colour photographs and 27 b/w drawings Language: English Price: € 60.00 This publication titled 'Iron Ancestors. Kris Sajen, Kris Majapahit and related Objects' deals with a remarkable type of Javanese kris: the kris [I]sajen[/I] also known as the kris [I]Majapahit[/I]. It is a weapon, or rather an amulet, dating from a distant past and entirely forged from a single piece of iron. This book is the first to be almost fully devoted to these krisses. In order to introduce these `iron ancestors', the author drew from his own extensive collection as well as from other private collections. The National Museum of Ethnology (Leiden, The Netherlands) contributed by way of nine krisses, including the kris [I]sajen[/I] found in 1842 inside the main [I]stupa[/I] of [I]candi[/I] Borobudur. In addition, the Tropenmuseum (Amsterdam) provided the `kris Knaud', the only kris that carries a date [I]in casu[/I] 1264 of the Saka Era that corresponds with 1342 AD. Consecutively, the following subjects are discussed: the acquisition of the author's collection, the kris in general, his explanation of the term `iron ancestors', the kris [I]sajen[/I] which occurs in twelve types and several varying models, very small krisses, krisses from the Majapahit period (1294-1527 AD), the [I]badi[/I] (where the head of the small figure that shapes the grip faces the cutting edge), the [I]kudi[/I] (i.e. a fancifully shaped knife), figures depicted on and in the blade, and examples of fakes. An extensive bibliography is furthermore included. The book is abundantly illustrated. Almost every page counts one or more illustrations depicting 'iron ancestors'. The quality of the photographs taken by Ben Grishaaver is nothing less than magnificent. One would expect them to exude a black and white sphere when dealing with objects entirely made of iron. However, thanks to state-of-the-art exposure techniques these photographs reveal the smallest details of these krisses while not discarding their subtle hues. In addition, Karel Sirag's exquisite drawings supply an extra dimension to a selection of the objects already presented. The reposed, finely balanced book design by JNJ-studio must also be credited. The space created on each page allows the beauty of these objects to be fully admired. The choice and flow of words differ from what we usually come across in comparable literature. `Iron Ancestors' is written in the first-person narrative. The author expresses himself in an anecdotal style while sharing his experiences. It is therefore an easy read, but at the same time somewhat sketchy. One must, nevertheless conclude: never before has such a huge amount of information on this type of kris been accumulated in a single publication. For one reason or other, any indication of pedigree is not included when discussing the majority of the weapons kept at the Leiden Museum of Ethnology. This is indeed rather unfortunate as they are quite old and mostly acquired by the above museum between 1890 and 1905. All in all, it is an outstanding and important book that fills a hiatus regarding the literature on krisses. Plenty has been written on this subject in a broad sense, on the shapes of blades, on [I]pamor[/I], on he types of hilts, etc. Any information, however, on the kris [I]sajen[/I] or kris [I]Majapahit[/I] is almost entirely lacking until now. With the publication of 'Iron Ancestors. Kris Sajen, Kris Majapahit and related Objects', this shortcoming has been redeemed. It is indeed indispensable for those interested in Javanese culture in general, as well as for aficionados of the kris in particular. Highly recommended! Last edited by Albert; 5th November 2010 at 12:49 PM.