Two new (to me) Keris from Epray for comment

Rafngard · 7th January 2016, 03:30 AM

Hello All,

The midwinter Minnesota sun was compliant (enough) and I finally had a chance to take a few pics of two new acquisitions. Apologies for the quality of the pics, and the cat hair visible in the pics, I had 3 furry "helpers" while taking the photos.

The first keris is a "Dutch soldier's keris" from Madura. If I understand correctly, the style puts it somewhere between the late 19th century and WWII. I know these are a little touristy, but I still like them, particularly the ones like this, with a lion carved on the sampir. I also like that the woman on the figural hilt has what could be whiskers. Perhaps that's what attracted my furry "helpers." I also really enjoy the built in mendak and pendok.

The Wilah itself looks like it has some age, and could use an etching, something that I'm afraid is beyond me at present. there is some clear pattern welding present. The tip, well, looks a bit chewed up, and the edge is nicked in at least one place.

The second Keris looks to my (untrained) eye to be a keris from Java. The seller thought it might be mid 20th century, but who knows? The ukiran is in the in the Surakarta style, as is the Sampir, in the gayaman. I suspect the (brass?) pendok is a replacement, given how the top edge doesn't quite match up to the sampir, though maybe this could be due to some sort of climate based wood shrinkage? Occam's razor says replacement I think. Some of the wood inside the pendok is damaged near the tip.

I really love the wilah, especially the "topographic" finish. I think the pamor is ngulit semangka, but I'm not good at identifying such things. I don't know that I have the vocabulary at this point to describe the ricikan, except to say that in looking at my pics I see rust I'd previously missed. This has been subsequently taken care of.

Did I get the above right? Wrong? Please let me know! I look forward to any and all comments, corrections, and opinions!

Thanks,
Leif

Rafngard · 7th January 2016, 03:34 AM

More pics

Rafngard · 7th January 2016, 03:37 AM

....yet more

Rafngard · 14th January 2016, 06:52 PM

No comments?

Thanks,
Leif

David · 14th January 2016, 07:48 PM

Hi Leif. Sorry to see no one has commented yet. Truth be told these aren't particularly anything to write home about and you have probably already said all that needs to be said about them. You are correct that the first one (on left) is what has come to be known as a "soldier's keris" from Madura. Keris in this style dress are often thought of as early souvenir items for returning dutch soldiers. They rarely carry anything beyond a mediocre blade. This one is a pretty low end carving though. I have seen much nicer examples and have always thought i would like to add one of the nicer examples of this style to my collection one day. I am not convinced that the figurative hilt is supposed to be a female figure. What do you base that on?
Your second keris is perhaps a bit better. You are again correct, this dress is Surakarta. The best thing about this dress is that the top sheath and stem are carved all in one piece (iras) which is unusual. It looks to me like the wood needs a bit of TLC. The blade has some deep cut features, but that look kind of sloppy and stiff to me. I would also perhaps put this one in the 20th century as the seller suggested. Not a terrible keris, but nothing extraordinary.

asomotif · 14th January 2016, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

The best thing about this dress is that the top sheath and stem are carved all in one piece (iras) which is unusual.

I am not sure about the "iras" scabbard.
A picture without the pendok can help to be sure.

7th January 2016, 03:30 AM	#1
Rafngard Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Minneapolis,MN Posts: 326	Two new (to me) Keris from Epray for comment Hello All, The midwinter Minnesota sun was compliant (enough) and I finally had a chance to take a few pics of two new acquisitions. Apologies for the quality of the pics, and the cat hair visible in the pics, I had 3 furry "helpers" while taking the photos. The first keris is a "Dutch soldier's keris" from Madura. If I understand correctly, the style puts it somewhere between the late 19th century and WWII. I know these are a little touristy, but I still like them, particularly the ones like this, with a lion carved on the sampir. I also like that the woman on the figural hilt has what could be whiskers. Perhaps that's what attracted my furry "helpers." I also really enjoy the built in mendak and pendok. The Wilah itself looks like it has some age, and could use an etching, something that I'm afraid is beyond me at present. there is some clear pattern welding present. The tip, well, looks a bit chewed up, and the edge is nicked in at least one place. The second Keris looks to my (untrained) eye to be a keris from Java. The seller thought it might be mid 20th century, but who knows? The ukiran is in the in the Surakarta style, as is the Sampir, in the gayaman. I suspect the (brass?) pendok is a replacement, given how the top edge doesn't quite match up to the sampir, though maybe this could be due to some sort of climate based wood shrinkage? Occam's razor says replacement I think. Some of the wood inside the pendok is damaged near the tip. I really love the wilah, especially the "topographic" finish. I think the pamor is ngulit semangka, but I'm not good at identifying such things. I don't know that I have the vocabulary at this point to describe the ricikan, except to say that in looking at my pics I see rust I'd previously missed. This has been subsequently taken care of. Did I get the above right? Wrong? Please let me know! I look forward to any and all comments, corrections, and opinions! Thanks, Leif Attached Images

7th January 2016, 03:34 AM	#2
Rafngard Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Minneapolis,MN Posts: 326	More pics Attached Images

7th January 2016, 03:37 AM	#3
Rafngard Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Minneapolis,MN Posts: 326	...and ....yet more Attached Images

14th January 2016, 06:52 PM	#4
Rafngard Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Minneapolis,MN Posts: 326	No comments? Thanks, Leif

14th January 2016, 07:48 PM	#5
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,031	Hi Leif. Sorry to see no one has commented yet. Truth be told these aren't particularly anything to write home about and you have probably already said all that needs to be said about them. You are correct that the first one (on left) is what has come to be known as a "soldier's keris" from Madura. Keris in this style dress are often thought of as early souvenir items for returning dutch soldiers. They rarely carry anything beyond a mediocre blade. This one is a pretty low end carving though. I have seen much nicer examples and have always thought i would like to add one of the nicer examples of this style to my collection one day. I am not convinced that the figurative hilt is supposed to be a female figure. What do you base that on? Your second keris is perhaps a bit better. You are again correct, this dress is Surakarta. The best thing about this dress is that the top sheath and stem are carved all in one piece (iras) which is unusual. It looks to me like the wood needs a bit of TLC. The blade has some deep cut features, but that look kind of sloppy and stiff to me. I would also perhaps put this one in the 20th century as the seller suggested. Not a terrible keris, but nothing extraordinary.