Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 165:
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, and the term itself translates asâ€Å“fever stricken.†Commentators have noted that its origin may be as varied as a representation ofthe Hindu bird god Garuda (which can be found on other Indonesian origin hilts in Madura forexample), or as a representation of an earlier Majapahit period hilt, or a variation on a cockatoowhich is otherwise found represented in Malay and Indonesian hilts. Regardless of the origin itis consistently a striking form closest in approximation to modern art abstract human forms.Some of the forms differ in their design and this example seems to more resemble a humanoidfigure than others which sometimes look closer to a bird like creature. Keris also are oftencomposed of elements from different regions. In this case, a Balinese style scabbard is pairedwith a Sumatran or Malay Jawa Demam hilt. The Balinese style scabbard is distinctive as abovethe silver pendok sheath, encasing the longer portion of the scabbard, is the face of a kali or a kirtimukha.This example in the Schmiedt Collection is a fine representation of a Sumatran jawa demam hiltwith a finely carved and aged hilt and a Sumatran style stem and cup mendak. The sheath has afinely carved wooden oblate wrangka in the Balinese mango seed form and with a Bali or Maduran style silver chiseled floral designed pendok (sheath covering the long portion of thescabbard where the blade sits).The blade is finely crafted with a 5 luk form, or a dhapur Pandawa Cinarita (Irwan Antiques) anddisplaying a finely patterned pamor with a deep etch, likely from the use of traditional etchantssuch as arsenic. The pamor approximates the form called kulit semangka, or watermelon skin.Exceptional example dating from first half of 20th century.Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 20 1/2" Blade Length : 17 1/4"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. Irwan Antiques. The Indonesian Heritage.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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