Kris from Java, 1811 (c).

[David R]

This turned up on my News feed, and I thought it might interest some of you, a nice old Keris with provenance.
http://www.nam.ac.uk/online-collecti...=1963-10-309-1

[David]

Thanks David. An interesting keris. I'm not convinced that the hilt is Sulawesi. I wonder if it is possible that this hilt is from Cirebon?
I am also not sure i would call the dating here strong provenance.
"It was thought to have been taken at the storming of Ft. Cornelius in Batavia."
"Thought" by whom and why?
A nice keris though. Shame the sheath did not survive.
Here is more info on the supposed war that it was spoils from.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invasion_of_Java_(1811)
And the general who is mentioned in the National Army Museum write-up.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Auchmuty_(British_Army_officer)

[A. G. Maisey]

Thanks David R., a very nice keris.

[Rick]

Now this fellow lived in interesting times .

What life of adventure !

Sir Samuel was born at New York City in 1756, and educated at King's College, the progenitor of today's Columbia University, where he graduated in 1775. A loyalist, during the American War of Independence he was given an ensigncy in the loyal army in 1777, and in 1778 a lieutenancy in the 45th Foot, without purchase. When his regiment returned to England after the war, having neither private means nor influence, he exchanged into the 52nd (Oxfordshire) Regiment of Foot, in order to proceed to India.

He took part in the last war against Hyder Ali; he was given a staff appointment by Lord Cornwallis in 1790, served in the operations against Tippoo Sahib, and continued in various staff appointments up to 1797, when he returned to England a brevet lieutenant colonel.

In 1800 he was made lieutenant-colonel and brevet colonel; and in the following year, as adjutant-general to Sir David Baird in Egypt, took a distinguished share in the march across the desert and the Capture of Alexandria. On his return to England in 1803 he was knighted, and three years later he went out to the Río de la Plata as a brigadier-general. Auchmuty was one of the few officers who came out of the disastrous Buenos Aires expedition of 1806-7 with enhanced reputation. While General John Whitelocke, the commander, was cashiered, Auchmuty was at once re-employed and promoted major-general. In 1810 he was appointed to command the Madras Army.

In the following year he commanded the expedition organized for the conquest of Java, which the governor-general, Lord Minto, himself accompanied. The storming of the strongly fortified position of Meester Cornelis (28 August 1811), stubbornly defended by a Dutch garrison under General Janssens, practically achieved conquest of the island, and after the action of Samarang (8 September 1811) Janssens surrendered. Auchmuty received the thanks of Parliament and was appointed KCB and, on his return home, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general. In 1822 he became Commander-in-Chief, Ireland, and a member of the Irish privy council. He died suddenly in August 1822.

[Gustav]

Hilt and Pendokok are sumatran, hilt more likely north sumatran.

A very nice Keris indeed, thank you very much for posting.

The second picture, correct orientation:

[David]

Thanks for flipping the keris Gustav. I agree that Sumatra is a likely origin for this hilt. I do feel that we are probably looking at a Javanese blade though which has me wondering about the marriage and who might have owned such a keris in Batavia in 1811.

[asomotif]

[QUOTE=Gustav]Hilt and Pendokok are sumatran, hilt more likely north sumatran.
QUOTE]

Check for Gayo / gajo or aceh / atjeh hilts.
Definately Northern Sumatra imo.

Best regards,
Willem