Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 45:
Keris Dagger from Bali are considered some of the finest among the Indonesianarchipelago. As Bali is a Hindu society, the influences on the keris have survived theIslamicization of form and design found elsewhere in the region, with some exceptions. As aresult, Balinese keris often have hilts carved with richly designed Hindu deities in a morerealistic manner than the stylized interpretations found in other parts of the region, such as thehighly stylized Garuda imagery of the Bugis or on Sumatra. The keris played a particularlyimportant role in Balinese society, and was used as a ritual tool in almost every Balinesereligious ceremony. Standing as pusaka, a powerful sanctified heirloom, and serving as a strongmarker of socio-economic status, a keris could only be made by Pande blacksmiths who claimstatus higher than that of a Brahman. In Bali, the keris is referred to as kadutan, but the termkeris is used as it is widespread through the region.This example in the Schmiedt collection is a Balinese Keris of figural form in a provincial style, lacking the deep carving and traditional forms found on more traditional togongan hilts. Thefigure sits squatting in an ancestor pose with a hand underneath the body, one knee pulled uphigh against the belly, and the other hand grasping the belly. The hilt has an aged patina. The old 7 luk blade has the shape approximated by dapor sempana panjul (Ki Empu Jhuel) andconsists of an interesting pamor pattern called sada saler, of an undulating single line running thelength of the blade. The mendak (cuff) between hilt and blade in Javanese style and inlaid withprecious stones, potentially intan intan rough diamonds. The carved warangka (scabbard throat)of Ladrang style in the Balinese form and with a stained wood gandar (body).Early 20th century, Beautiful and rare example.Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 20 1/4" Blade Length : 11"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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