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Old 21st September 2020, 01:02 PM   #1
CharlesS
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Default A Balinese Keris for Analysis

Here is another one for you guys to analyze. Normally, when I see a scabbard of this type I instantly think "tourist" piece, but this one as a serious heft to it, and the hilt reminded me of Balinese "cundrik" hilts. There patinated wear to the hilt and scabbard.

Sometimes you have to learn the hard way, so, your thoughts?
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Old 21st September 2020, 01:10 PM   #2
A. G. Maisey
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Blade:- Bali

Scabbard:- Bali, 20th century dancer's dress

Selut:- Bali

Hilt:- East Jawa

not bad individual component parts, but wrongly combined.
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Old 21st September 2020, 01:34 PM   #3
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Alan, the hilt is far too large for any Javanese keris.
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Old 21st September 2020, 04:50 PM   #4
David
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Hi Charles. This is a lovely Balinese keris.
On the sarung, does it appear that it was made for this blade specifically. Certainly it was made for a blade with gonjo wilut so it seems possible. I have not seen many dance keris sheath made for gonjo wilut, but if this sheath was made specifically for this keris than i can't see calling it a mismatch.
As for the hilt, i have a Bali keris that was once in the Frey collection that has a somewhat similar hilt. It too has led to some head scratching, but since this keris has been known to exist in this form since at least the early 1970s it is not some mismatched dealer special. It is, like yours, certainly an unusual hilt for a Bali keris though. So i am not going to dismiss you example as a mismatch too quickly, especially if, as you say, this hilt is too large for the usual Javanese/Madurese blade.
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Old 21st September 2020, 05:19 PM   #5
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Thanks David. The blade and sheath are a perfect fit, with the mouth of the sheath following the curvature of the ganja. The hilt is maybe like an E. Java keris hilt on steroids, but particularly its girth would not match a Javanese hilt, much like the example you have shown. It would simply overwhelm and take the balance out of the aesthetics of a Javanese ensemble.
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Old 21st September 2020, 05:21 PM   #6
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I think my pics just do not properly convey the size of the hilt. Its selut is a perfect fit.

These pics may help show the comparative size of the hilt, but I am not even sure these pics do the dimensions justice.
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Old 21st September 2020, 05:03 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CharlesS
Alan, the hilt is far too large for any Javanese keris.
Hello Charles,
The hilt looks large because of the wrong balinese selut fitted to it but this type is originating from East Java/ Madura indeed.
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Old 21st September 2020, 05:22 PM   #8
Anthony G.
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I would said this keris is awesome except the warangka (personal opinion). I would love to own this keris with a beautiful polished bilah.
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Old 21st September 2020, 05:24 PM   #9
Jean
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Hello Charles,
Attached is a Madurese kris estimated from the early 20th century with a somewhat similar type of thick hilt.
Regards
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Old 21st September 2020, 05:38 PM   #10
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Thanks Jean. Yes a similar( and lovely) hilt, but the size is much smaller than on that Balinese keris. It's easy to tell by the way it sits on the mendek.
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Old 21st September 2020, 05:57 PM   #11
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Hi Charles,
Pics of a Madurese hilt more similar to yours, its height is 10 cm. The balinese selut is definitely misplaced IMO. From my experience these pieces are relatively recent (mid 20th century).
Regards
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Last edited by Jean; 21st September 2020 at 07:58 PM.
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