Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 38:
Javanese keris Dagger, 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, and specifically YudoWinatan. This hilt has seven flat planar sides, with two carvings at internal angles of the hilt.The one nearest the pommel represents the kala mask, a benevolent demon and the smallprotrusion in the carving called a kuncung represents a nose. Another form closely related inform is from the Palaces of Yogyakarta and is referred to as a Nunggak Semi shape, but also hasthe distinctive carvings on the inside angles of the handle. These highly abstract forms representthe highest level of abstraction in Indonesian keris handles, though other such as the Bugis hiltrepresenting a garuda are also highly abstract. One of the features only found on Javanese andsome early Balinese keris is the use of painted designs called sungginan. These painted designsare found on kerisin early collected European collections where the designs have more affinitywith Chinese painting but later keris sunggingan are closer to Europeanized painting and mayreflect one of the few European influences on Javanese keris. Many of the designs onsunggingan keris are taken from local motifs and can also be found on batak textiles.This example in the Schmiedt collection is a Javanese Keris of cecekan form in the Surakartastyle, Yudo Winatan, which differs from Yogyakarta in having a more pronounced roundedpommel. The blade is hand forged and with a straight blade with a pamor pattern called beraswutah, or spilled rice grains. The mendak (cuff) between hilt and blade in Solo style. The warangka (scabbard throat) of Ladrang Surakarta type and in the sunginngan painted style with the central medallion the emblem of the Sultanate (Kasunanan) of Surakarta. The gandar(scabbard body) with a chiseled silver Pendok (cover) featuring embossed floral decoration.Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 19 1/2" 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’archipelindonÃĩsien 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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