Gold Keris - Malay with Bugis Influence?

Battara · 12th November 2013, 04:47 AM

Greetings folks.

Rarely do I have much to contribute or ask on this side of the forum, but today I do.

I need your help on identification of this piece - from where, age, purpose, and anything else you see and can help.

The dress is gold, the wood has flashing grains, and the selut is brass. I figure that the blade is older than the rest.

Thank you.

David · 12th November 2013, 02:31 PM

I dunno, it doesn't look Malay (peninsula) to me. Certainly Bugis and i would probably place it in Sulawesi, though admittedly i have had trouble sussing out the nuances from Bugis keris from one location to another.
Better shots of the hilt might reveal more as i can't really get a good grasp of it's proportions in these photos.
I'm not quite sure what kind of answer you are looking for in terms of purpose.
Are you sure the fittings on the sheath are solid gold, not plate?

Battara · 13th November 2013, 04:20 AM

Here are pictures of the hilt, and an emblem on the back of the scabbard that sort of looks like the name "Allah" or perhaps a bismallah.

I will try to test the metal tomorrow and let you know my findings.

David · 13th November 2013, 07:29 AM

After seeing the hilt i am still inclined towards Sulawesi.

Alam Shah · 13th November 2013, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

Here are pictures of the hilt, and an emblem on the back of the scabbard that sort of looks like the name "Allah" or perhaps a bismallah.

I will try to test the metal tomorrow and let you know my findings.

The hilt looks like a Minang styled form.

The 2nd pic is a calligraphy of "Allah" and "Muhammad", inter-weaved. The 'Muhammad' is a little stylized.

Ganja Iras · 13th November 2013, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

Greetings folks.

Rarely do I have much to contribute or ask on this side of the forum, but today I do.

I need your help on identification of this piece - from where, age, purpose, and anything else you see and can help.

The dress is gold, the wood has flashing grains, and the selut is brass. I figure that the blade is older than the rest.

Thank you.

Hi there ,
Here i include this picture as a comparison to your keris.
and i agree with David that the blade looks a bugis sulawesi.
also my blade is buginesse and it was found in sumbawa ,the warangka ,hilt & buntut are ivory.
The pendhok ( metal on the sarung ) is solid gold ; 20 K.
Thanks,

Ganja iras

Battara · 14th November 2013, 03:20 AM

Ok just tested the metal - it's gold plated brass.

This is the last piece of information I can think of.

So we know it is Sulawesi Bugis. Since this is gold plated, I guess this is recent (except the blade) and that this is not for nobility. Would this be then a pusaka piece?

Jean · 16th November 2013, 09:26 AM

Hello,
From the pictures the blade seems old but of common quality (indistinct pamor) and the nice pendok has a contemporary design. The hilt looks old and not Minang IMO but it has a specific design (mix Jawa Deman/ pengulu) probably from East Sumatra but other opinions are welcome.
Best regards

Battara · 19th November 2013, 11:45 PM

Ok.....so.........how common are these gilt dressed keris?

If it is in gilt dress, does this mean it is a pusaka piece?

A. G. Maisey · 20th November 2013, 12:26 AM

Is it gilt, or is it gold plate? There is a difference.

My guess is that this is gold plate.

Both are pretty common and at least in Jawa relate more to the owner's wishes than to any regal or vice regal association. I do not know about what might apply in other places.

12th November 2013, 04:47 AM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	Gold Keris - Malay with Bugis Influence? Greetings folks. Rarely do I have much to contribute or ask on this side of the forum, but today I do. I need your help on identification of this piece - from where, age, purpose, and anything else you see and can help. The dress is gold, the wood has flashing grains, and the selut is brass. I figure that the blade is older than the rest. Thank you. Attached Images

13th November 2013, 04:20 AM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	Here are pictures of the hilt, and an emblem on the back of the scabbard that sort of looks like the name "Allah" or perhaps a bismallah. I will try to test the metal tomorrow and let you know my findings. Attached Images

14th November 2013, 03:20 AM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	Ok just tested the metal - it's gold plated brass. This is the last piece of information I can think of. So we know it is Sulawesi Bugis. Since this is gold plated, I guess this is recent (except the blade) and that this is not for nobility. Would this be then a pusaka piece? Last edited by Battara; 14th November 2013 at 04:00 AM.

12th November 2013, 02:31 PM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,034	I dunno, it doesn't look Malay (peninsula) to me. Certainly Bugis and i would probably place it in Sulawesi, though admittedly i have had trouble sussing out the nuances from Bugis keris from one location to another. Better shots of the hilt might reveal more as i can't really get a good grasp of it's proportions in these photos. I'm not quite sure what kind of answer you are looking for in terms of purpose. Are you sure the fittings on the sheath are solid gold, not plate?

13th November 2013, 07:29 AM	#4
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,034	After seeing the hilt i am still inclined towards Sulawesi.

16th November 2013, 09:26 AM	#8
Jean Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,740	Hello, From the pictures the blade seems old but of common quality (indistinct pamor) and the nice pendok has a contemporary design. The hilt looks old and not Minang IMO but it has a specific design (mix Jawa Deman/ pengulu) probably from East Sumatra but other opinions are welcome. Best regards

19th November 2013, 11:45 PM	#9
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	Ok.....so.........how common are these gilt dressed keris? If it is in gilt dress, does this mean it is a pusaka piece?

20th November 2013, 12:26 AM	#10
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,712	Is it gilt, or is it gold plate? There is a difference. My guess is that this is gold plate. Both are pretty common and at least in Jawa relate more to the owner's wishes than to any regal or vice regal association. I do not know about what might apply in other places.