Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 159:
Keris from Sumatra have a distinct form and are most often associated with aparticular handle form referred to as a Jawa Demam hilt. The origin of this form are unknownbut the general form is a highly abstracted crouching figure, the term itself translates as â€Å“feverstricken.â ;€ Commentators have noted that its origin may be as varied as a representation of theHindu bird god Garuda (which can be found on other Indonesian origin hilts in Madura forexample), whether it is a representation of an earlier Majapahit period hilt, or a variation on acockatoo which is otherwise found represented in Malay and Indonesian hilts. Regardless of theorigin it is consistently a striking form closest in approximation to modern artâ€â„¢s abstract humanforms. Some of the forms differ in their approximation, whereas some look more like an abstractversion of a human, other such as this example are closer to the cockatoo form with the crestclearly represented on this example.This example in the Schmiedt Collection is a fine representation of this jawa demam hilt with apolished hilt and a brass mendak. The sheath is simple but made of finely pattern wood with arich chatoyancy, which was often much prized for the quality of grain and lustre.The blade is finely crafted and with a 7 luk waved form, and displaying a finely patterned pamorwith a deep etch, likely from the use of traditional etchants such as arsenic. The pamorapproximates the form called kutha mesir at the base with a circular pattern and then a randomform that be approximated as kulit semangka.Overall likely first half of 20th century.Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 16" Blade Length : 13"References:1. Frey, E. (1988) The Kris: Mystic Weapon of the Malay World. Oxford University Press.2. Mardianto, W. A to Z â€â€œ Sesuatu mengenai KERIS dan TOMBAK KERIS â€â€œ 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 Press.Detailed condition reports are not included in this catalog. For additional information, including condition reports, please contact us at [email protected]
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