Southeast Asian & Japanese Arms & Art
Lot 302:
avanese keris Dagger, are some of the most highly variegated objects in the world of arms and armor.Despite maintaining a distinct overall form and shape, the variation, in particular of the style ofblades is greater than any other arms and armor culture. The most classic style of hilt is from theRoyal Palaces of Surakarta in central Java and called a cecekan hilt. This hilt has seven flatplanar sides, with two carvings at internal angles of the hilt. The one nearest the pommelrepresents the kala mask, a benevolent demon and the small protrusion in the carving called akuncung represents a nose. Another form closely related in form is from the Palaces ofYogyakarta and is referred to as a Nunggak Semi shape, but also has the distinctive carvings onthe inside angles of the handle. These highly abstract forms represent the highest level ofabstraction in Indonesian keris handles, though other such as the Bugis hilt representing a garudaare also highly abstract.The blade, or wilah, of the keris is the most valued part, holding the sacred and esoteric power ofthe keris. The different forms of pamor and blade shapes all have specific attributions to the typeof owner that is most suited to that pamor and shape and also the magical powers it can provide.Pamor comes in many varieties, each having a particular symbolism. Pamor then is furtherdivided into two categories called rekan and tiban, meaning respectively "willed" and "fated".Blades have a series of waves called luk, or may alternately be straight. Any keris above luk 13is uncommon and made for either someone of high status of representing some esoteric need ofthe commissioner.This example in the Schmiedt collection is a Javanese Keris of cecekan form in the Surakartastyle called Yudo Winkan and carved en suite of the same material as the wrangka. Thebeautiful grain and patina of the handle and wrangka indicate a fossilized appearance. The bladeis hand forged and with an 11 luk pattern most closely approximated by the form known as daporcarita prasaja and consists of a pamor pattern likely to be ngulit semangka, watermelon skin.The gilded mendak in Surakarta style and inlaid with intan intan rough cut diamonds or rockcrystal in the Javanese manner. The warangka (scabbard throat) of Gayaman Surakarta typeand carved of en suite material as the hilt. The gandar (scabbard body) with a brass pendok, sheath covering.First half of 20th century overall.Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 20 1/4" Blade Length : 14"References:1. Frey, E. (1988) The Kris: Mystic Weapon of the Malay World. Oxford University Press.2. Mardianto, W. A to Z – Sesuatu mengenai KERIS dan TOMBAK KERIS – SENJATATRADISIONAL INDONESIA A to Z3. Ki Empu Jhuel. Pamor Keris4. Ghiringelli. V. (2007) The Invincible Krises 2. Saviolo Publisher5. Van Zonneveld, A.G. (2001) Traditional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago.Leiden: Art Books6. Gardner, G.B. (2009) Keris and other Malay Weapons. Orchid Press7. Maisey, A. Dhapur and pamor according to Djeno Harumbrojo, Jogjakarta.Kerisattosanaji8. Marval, G.de. (1994) UKIRAN – Essai de classification des poignées de kris de l’archipelindonésienDetailed condition reports are not included in this catalog. For additional information, including condition reports, please contact us at [email protected]
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