Translation please...?

erikscollectables · 30th December 2008, 09:36 AM

Is there anybody on the forum who can tell me what this inscription is?
It is on a very old javanese blade, inscription is probably newer than the blade (might be 14th century blade) but it is old too, 19th century or earlier.

At first I thought arabic but I have confirmed it is not that.

In the meantime I heard two other options. Old javanese or a "magic" text by a local magician (Duku?)

Who knows more?

Regards, Erik

Kiai Carita · 30th December 2008, 11:25 AM

It is not Jawa script, and neither is it Arabic. Might not be a scrip at all.

A. G. Maisey · 30th December 2008, 12:41 PM

Erik, you say it is on a very old Javanese blade.

Could we see the blade please?

Raden Usman Djogja · 30th December 2008, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Erik, you say it is on a very old Javanese blade.

Could we see the blade please?

Erik and Alan,

I am afraid it is not on a very old blade. To make sure, perhaps Erik could upload the whole picture.

OeS

Jentayu · 30th December 2008, 01:26 PM

Hi there....In my opinion the words are neither Javanese or arabic; however if we look at a glance the words do have a "crude" resemblance of the arabic "basmallah" that means "In the name of god". Just a wild guess..

erikscollectables · 30th December 2008, 01:37 PM

The blade. Wanted to save this for another discussion but here it is.

Some "specialists" here in the Netherlands had a look at this blade.
They all thought it was a very old blade maybefrom around the 14th century.

The style of the peksi was linked to Empu Supo (am not sure if this is the correct spelling of the name) and the blade they thought was from around the same period.

I myself have no opinion on this as my knowledge does not go this far, I am just repeating what I heard so far. What I do know that it was not made after 1950 (came here before that) and the metal is different from what I normally see on krisses. Thinner and somehow stronger and more flexible.
I like it a lot and think it is quite beautiful despite the fact that it should be washed.

David · 30th December 2008, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erikscollectables

The style of the peksi was linked to Empu Supo (am not sure if this is the correct spelling of the name) and the blade they thought was from around the same period..

I believe the name you are looking for is Mpu Sombro. The hole at the end of the twisted pesi was used to hang the keris from a string.
This is an interesting keris. Sorry that i can't help you with the inscription, though i do agree that it was probably added at a later date.

Raden Usman Djogja · 4th January 2009, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raden Usman Djogja

Erik and Alan,

I am afraid it is not on a very old blade. To make sure, perhaps Erik could upload the whole picture.

OeS

dear Erik,

my guess was wrong.
your keris looks original and beautiful.
about its incription?
i do not want to make second mistake

imho, the discussion about the keris and inscription should be separated.
whatever the result of discussion about its inscription, whether it is new or old, it does not change my opinion that your keris looks good and original.

warm salam,
OeS

30th December 2008, 09:36 AM	#1
erikscollectables Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 318	Translation please...? Is there anybody on the forum who can tell me what this inscription is? It is on a very old javanese blade, inscription is probably newer than the blade (might be 14th century blade) but it is old too, 19th century or earlier. At first I thought arabic but I have confirmed it is not that. In the meantime I heard two other options. Old javanese or a "magic" text by a local magician (Duku?) Who knows more? Regards, Erik Attached Images

30th December 2008, 11:25 AM	#2
Kiai Carita Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 91	Not Jawa and not Arabic It is not Jawa script, and neither is it Arabic. Might not be a scrip at all.

30th December 2008, 01:37 PM	#6
erikscollectables Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 318	Blade The blade. Wanted to save this for another discussion but here it is. Some "specialists" here in the Netherlands had a look at this blade. They all thought it was a very old blade maybefrom around the 14th century. The style of the peksi was linked to Empu Supo (am not sure if this is the correct spelling of the name) and the blade they thought was from around the same period. I myself have no opinion on this as my knowledge does not go this far, I am just repeating what I heard so far. What I do know that it was not made after 1950 (came here before that) and the metal is different from what I normally see on krisses. Thinner and somehow stronger and more flexible. I like it a lot and think it is quite beautiful despite the fact that it should be washed. Attached Images

30th December 2008, 12:41 PM	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,736	Erik, you say it is on a very old Javanese blade. Could we see the blade please?

30th December 2008, 01:26 PM	#5
Jentayu Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 61	Hi there....In my opinion the words are neither Javanese or arabic; however if we look at a glance the words do have a "crude" resemblance of the arabic "basmallah" that means "In the name of god". Just a wild guess..