Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 172:
Keris from Bali are considered some of the finest among the Indonesianarchipelago. As a Hindu society, the influences on the keris have survived the Islamicization ofform and design found elsewhere in the region, with some exceptions. As a result, Balinese kerisoften have hilts carved with richly interpreted Hindu deities in more realistic manner than themore the stylized interpretations found in other parts of the region. Other forms of hilts are moresimpler and would be used by the warrior class and commoners such as a form called danganangrantim. The keris in Bali has a significance that extends far beyond its importance as a weaponor its representative function which is not related to the influence of China and India on Balineseculture. Instead this prominent position in Balinese society is more closely aligned with oldAustronesian concepts and meaningful associations with inspired objects, as can be seen fromJapan to New Zealand (Weihrauch et al. 2017).This example in the Schmiedt Collection is an uncommon representation of a Balinese formcalled a danganan grantim or gerantiman but with more decorative elements including semipreciousinlaid stones. On Balinese hilts most often stone inlays include rubies, moonstone, topaz, other stones, and molded glass. The use of molded glass is also well known on Balinesekeris, including keris of the highest level of quality and royal objects, as the importance for thewearer of the keris was less the materials but the overall design and look. This hilt takes amodified interpretation of a classic grantim hilt with embossed silver representing the classic useof weaved silver or gold grantim hilt. The scabbard of this keris is however, not in the Balineseform but the Malay style with an enlarged buntut and chiseled silver pendok with a barber polestriped design.The straight blade of dhapur lurus form and with a linear pattern termed pamor adeg.Overall first half of 20th century, a very impressive large exmple.Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 22 3/4" Blade Length : 15 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. Weihrauch, A., Kloubert, U. and Aljunied, A. (2017)The Gods & the Forge: BalineseCeremonial Blades- The Gods & the Forge in a Cultural Context. IFICAH8. 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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