Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 21:
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. The most classic style of hilt is from theRoyal Palaces of Surakarta in central Java and called a cecekan hilt. This hilt has seven flatplanar sides, with two carvings at internal angles of the hilt. The one nearest the pommelrepresents the kala mask, a benevolent demon and the small protrusion in the carving called akuncung represents a nose. These highly abstract forms represent the highest level of abstractionin Indonesian keris handles, though other such as the Bugis hilt representing a garuda are alsohighly abstract.The blade, or wilah, of the keris is the most valued part, holding the sacred and esoteric power ofthe keris. The different forms of pamor and blade shapes all have specific attributions to the typeof owner that is most suited to that pamor and shape and also the magical powers it can provide.Any keris above 13 luk is uncommon and made for either someone of high status of representingsome esoteric need of the commissioner.This example in the Schmiedt collection is a Javanese Keris of with a cecekan ukiran, or hilt, inthe Surakarta style, Yudo Winatan. The blade is hand forged and with a 13 luk pattern calleddapor naga siluman and consists of pamor pattern called ngulit semangka, or watermelon skin.The base of the blade, gandik, is chiseled with a naga, snake, head and inlaid in the mouth withgold. The selut cup seating the Surakarta hilt is beautifully made of gilt metal or gold, and themendak (cuff) between hilt and blade in the Surakarta style. The warangka (scabbard throat) isin the Ladrang Surakarta type. The gandar (scabbard body) with a chiseled and gilded metalpendok (cover) featuring embossed and repousse floral decoration of high quality workmanship.First Half of 20th century.Dagger ‘s Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 20 1/4" Blade Length : 14 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’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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