Ethnographic Arms & Armour
 

Go Back   Ethnographic Arms & Armour > Discussion Forums > Keris Warung Kopi

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 17th February 2020, 02:46 PM   #1
mteuthof
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 9
Default Any ideas about this little Sumatra keris?

Hello everyone,

I recently acquired this little keris. The Gandar (sheath) is from Sumatra I assume but the blade is very unusual.

Is the blade an old utility blade or working knife?

Total length is: 23cm
Length of the keris: 21,5cm
Length of the blade: 17cm.

Would appreciate any help and assistance!
Attached Images
    
mteuthof is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17th February 2020, 05:34 PM   #2
David
Keris forum moderator
 
David's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 7,012
Default

My ideas about this little Sumatra keris is that it is not a keris at all.
David is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18th February 2020, 08:15 PM   #3
kai
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,213
Default

Hello Maurits,

I'm not sure that this piece really is from Sumatra. I may well be but it seems a bit too young to exhibit clearcut features that might allow positive identification to any traditional local culture.

Regards,
Kai
kai is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18th February 2020, 09:30 PM   #4
A. G. Maisey
Member
 
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 6,676
Default

I would most gently suggest that this weapon was very probably regarded as a keris by the person who initially produced it.

To my eye it bears every indication of a weapon of keris-like form that was manufactured for use by a person of lower social status in a place that was not subject to the standards of a refined community.

As collectors we sometimes tend to forget that in the area of SE Asia where the keris is found, not all communities have the same, or even similar, standards. Small, isolated fishing or subsistence farming communities bear absolutely no relevance to communities that are under the influence of a kraton.

Personally, I regard this weapon as a valuable addition to a collection that is formed around the concepts of study & understanding, rather than around the concept of art.
A. G. Maisey is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 06:31 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Posts are regarded as being copyrighted by their authors and the act of posting material is deemed to be a granting of an irrevocable nonexclusive license for display here.