Composite Sumatran keris?

Moshah · 14th March 2014, 03:32 AM

Hi there,

The hilt was bona fide Peninsula Malay, called Pekaka hilt locally, and famously attributed to the state of Kelantan & Pattani.

Usually a decent, old specimen would be in dark-yellowish tone, ageing naturally. Yours is a bit whitish, perhaps being polished with autosol or something - which is kinda degrading it's authenticity of ageing over here.

Blade could be Terengganu, but I think if you can post some pictures of the blade portion itself (base, mid and tip), maybe some other member can put more words into it...

This type of sheath was really a puzzling debate before. Pardon my experience and knowledge, but I can not confirm it was of Peninsula origin; I did not see much of this type around here but definitely there were a few, and it is always on blades which would be spotted with Coteng hilts - and usually attributed to Singgora (Songhkla) of Thailand. NEVER on a Bugis blade.

DAHenkel · 15th March 2014, 05:36 AM

A curious piece. Looks all Peninsular to me but with a sheath modelled after a Javanese Pasisir type. Others have already mentioned Madura but you also see similar sheaths all along the North coast. Its clearly well made and had seen some wear and tear it so its not just a made up or souvenier piece. Who knows what the real story behind it is but its certainly very rare. Good find!

David · 15th March 2014, 06:16 AM

Thanks for chiming in Dave. I was hoping to hear from someone with a better grasp of the peninsula perspective. I also got the feeling it was all peninsula, but it's only a guess for me.

KLUNGKLUNG · 15th March 2014, 09:27 AM

Thanks gentlemen for your comments and I will keep it as a rare find in my collection.

BluErf · 16th March 2014, 06:34 AM

Hello! Long time no see!

I'm leaning towards Sumatra for this. The wood used for the batang looks like trembalao. Something we dont see in the Peninsula.

The blade looks like Straits Bigis/Riau-ish.

Pendoko looks Sumatran-like.

David · 16th March 2014, 01:52 PM

Hey Kai Wee! Nice to read you. I trust life is treating you well.
Thanks for adding your ideas on this one. Seems we have some fairly diverse ideas working here.
Is it just the wood choice that has you leaning towards Sumatra, or is there something about the sheath form itself? And where would you place this hilt?

A. G. Maisey · 16th March 2014, 08:22 PM

Yes Klungkung, it is certainly a very rare piece, in fact, it may be the only one of its kind.

14th March 2014, 03:32 AM	#1
Moshah Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 171	Hi there, The hilt was bona fide Peninsula Malay, called Pekaka hilt locally, and famously attributed to the state of Kelantan & Pattani. Usually a decent, old specimen would be in dark-yellowish tone, ageing naturally. Yours is a bit whitish, perhaps being polished with autosol or something - which is kinda degrading it's authenticity of ageing over here. Blade could be Terengganu, but I think if you can post some pictures of the blade portion itself (base, mid and tip), maybe some other member can put more words into it... This type of sheath was really a puzzling debate before. Pardon my experience and knowledge, but I can not confirm it was of Peninsula origin; I did not see much of this type around here but definitely there were a few, and it is always on blades which would be spotted with Coteng hilts - and usually attributed to Singgora (Songhkla) of Thailand. NEVER on a Bugis blade.

15th March 2014, 05:36 AM	#2
DAHenkel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 125	A curious piece. Looks all Peninsular to me but with a sheath modelled after a Javanese Pasisir type. Others have already mentioned Madura but you also see similar sheaths all along the North coast. Its clearly well made and had seen some wear and tear it so its not just a made up or souvenier piece. Who knows what the real story behind it is but its certainly very rare. Good find!

15th March 2014, 06:16 AM	#3
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,047	Thanks for chiming in Dave. I was hoping to hear from someone with a better grasp of the peninsula perspective. I also got the feeling it was all peninsula, but it's only a guess for me.

15th March 2014, 09:27 AM	#4
KLUNGKLUNG Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 24	Thanks gentlemen for your comments and I will keep it as a rare find in my collection.

16th March 2014, 06:34 AM	#5
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Hello! Long time no see! I'm leaning towards Sumatra for this. The wood used for the batang looks like trembalao. Something we dont see in the Peninsula. The blade looks like Straits Bigis/Riau-ish. Pendoko looks Sumatran-like.

16th March 2014, 01:52 PM	#6
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,047	Hey Kai Wee! Nice to read you. I trust life is treating you well. Thanks for adding your ideas on this one. Seems we have some fairly diverse ideas working here. Is it just the wood choice that has you leaning towards Sumatra, or is there something about the sheath form itself? And where would you place this hilt?

16th March 2014, 08:22 PM	#7
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,736	Yes Klungkung, it is certainly a very rare piece, in fact, it may be the only one of its kind.