Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 171:
Keris from Sumatra or Kelamantan area display a variety of stylistic attributes. Inthis example, the hilt is formed in the style of a highly stylised Garuda. The hilt form may befrom the Pattani area in Kelamantan. As the area was Islamized, the Hindu god Garuda wasmodified to the point where it took on the shape of a seated or squatting humanoid figure. Thefloral and geometric patterned design along with excellent silversmithing combine to create avery well modeled keris handle. A similar Wayang figure is depicted on a keris handle in theHouston Museum of Fine Arts (Acc. No. 2004.2273). The figure is sitting upon a series oftumpal, or the alternating triangles found at the base of the hilt, and representing the ancientIndonesian symbol of the mountain, the tree of life, and the male and female principles. Thescabbard is in the Sumatran style with a Sumatran Tengah wrangka form in wood with a richchatoyancy, with a long silver sheath covering chiseled with floral designs and an enlargedbuntut.The blade is a rare and finely crafted 33 luk form, with a finely patterned pamor with a deep etchin the Javanese style. Blades with this many luk do not have a formal term, or dhapur. Thepamor appears to be a mixure of thicker linear pattern called Tepen with elements of beraswutah, or a more random pattern. Alternately the linear pattern may also be termed Adeg.Early 20th century.Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 20 1/4" Blade Length : 15 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. Weihrauch, A., Kloubert, U. and Aljunied, A. (2017)The Gods & the Forge: BalineseCeremonial Blades- The Gods & the Forge in a Cultural Context. IFICAH.8. Maisey, A. Dhapur and pamor according to Djeno Harumbrojo, Jogjakarta.Kerisattosanaji9. Neka, W. S. (2014) Understanding Balinese Keris: An Insiders Perspective. Neka ArtMuseumDetailed condition reports are not included in this catalog. For additional information, including condition reports, please contact us at [email protected]
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