Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 17:
The Javanese keris Dagger, is one 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 hilts more often follow a distinctstyle, with some regional variations. The most classic style of hilt is from the Royal Palaces ofSurakarta in central Java and called a cecekan hilt. This hilt has seven flat planar sides, with twocarvings at internal angles of the hilt. The one nearest the pommel represents the kala mask, abenevolent demon and the small protrusion in the carving called a kuncung represents a nose.Another form closely related in form is from the Palaces of Yogyakarta and is referred to as aNunggak Semi shape, but also as the distinctive carvings on the inside angles of the handle.Before Islam became dominant, hilt forms had been anthropomorphic in nature and morereflective of those still found in Bali. As Islam prohibits the depiction of living things, these hiltsbecame more and more abstract with the central Javanese forms in Surakarta and Yogyakarta themost abstract.On the Javanese keris, the main part of the dagger, including the blade, sheath, and hilt eachcharacterize the keris in terms of origination, era, owner, and symbolism. The blade, or wilah, isthe most valued part, holding the sacred and esoteric power of the keris. The different forms ofpamor and blade shapes all have specific attributions to the type of owner that is most suited tothat paomor and shape and also the magical powers it can provide. The differing pamor patternsare made through the operation of the empu, a highly valued member of Javanese society. Bladeshave a series of waves called luk, or may alternately be straight. Any keris above 13 luk isuncommon and made for either someone of high status of representing some esoteric need of thecommissioner.This example in the Schmiedt Collection is a Javanese Keris of cecekan form in the Surakartastyle with a Yudo Winatan form hilt, also called an ukiran. The blade is hand forged and with arare 25 luk pattern and consists of pamor pattern called ngulit semangka, or watermelon skin.The mendak, or cuff between the blade and hilt, is in silver and the Surakarta style. Thewarangka, or the scabbard throat and which enables regional distinctions, is of GayamanTaman type (kidney shaped) in the Surakarta form. The gandar (scabbard body) with a chiseledbrass pendok (cover) featuring embossed decoration.Dating from first half of 20th century.Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 20" Blade Length : 15"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 poignÃĩes de kris de l’archipelindonÃĩsienDetailed condition reports are not included in this catalog. For additional information, including condition reports, please contact us at [email protected]
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