Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 162:
Javanese keris, 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. While the most classic style of Javanesehilt is from Surakarta and Yogyakarta and is called a cecekan ukiran, hilt, with seven planarsides, other hilts from the island of Java include hilts from Cirebon which have figural formsgenerally covered in carved floral scrollwork. These hilts have been considered to be the imageof Bhima, the hero of the Hindu Mahabharata epics, or of a Garuda. Other explanations for thegrotesque forms is that the figures represent a being called a pulungan, or a demon like creature, similar to the raksasa of Bali and other parts of Java. The raksasa figure is often found onIndonesian keris and represents a type of demon or goblin from Hindu mythology. Raksasashave the power to change their shape at will and appear as animals, as monsters, and are oftenrepresented as fanged beings with bulging eyes.This example in the Schmiedt collection is a fine old example of a Cirebon keris with a hilt in thepulungan form, entirely carved with scrollwork showing a long nose (similar to the Wayangfigures on other keris hilts) and with a fine patina indicating a 19th century or earlier form. The11 luk blade likewise is an old form of dapor carita prasaja with a pamor potentially beras wutahor ngulit semangka, watermelon skin. The sheath of one piece of wood with a rich chatoyancy, an indication of high quality construction, with a warangka (scabbard throat) of Ladrang style in the Cirebon Iras Sarung form.Later 19th century, an Exquisite quality example.Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 17 1/2" Blade Length : 13 3/4"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 Press7. Maisey, A. Dhapur and pamor according to Djeno Harumbrojo, Jogjakarta.Kerisattosanaji8. Marval, G.de. (1994) UKIRAN – Essai de classification des poignÃĩes de kris de l’archipelindonÃĩsien.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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