Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 52:
Keris Dagger from Java have some of the most distinctly carved hilts of all Indonesiankeris. The hilts often resembling in the Javanese form only in rough outline are fantasticallycarved with various emblematic designs, some of which are playfully hidden within the complexfloral carvings. The island of Madura is located off the Northeast coast of Java and had a richroyal culture and history with a variety of symbolism employed to represent the royal family.One of the most iconic images found in Maduran royal imagery and also on Keris hilts is thewinged horse. Other imagery found on Javanese and Maduran keris include variousrepresentations of a Nyamba, a classic Wayang figure, and other imagery include Raden Bima, Prince Bhima, and whose status would be signified by the crown on his head and jewels acrossthe head and ears.This example in the Schmiedt Collection is a fine carved wood representation of an antiqueMaduran keris showing Javanese elements. The hilt is an interesting interpretation of a Nyambasitting atop a tumpal that is normally found on Java proper and often attributed to Western Java(Ghiringelli 2011). The scabbard is a classic Javanese form with stained wood composition andwith a Sulawesi Macassar Tengah form wrangka.The blade is a straight form with a dapor betok with a kulit semangka pamor or a form of beraswutah, random pattern (Ki Empu Jhuel).20th century.Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 19" 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. Ghiringelle. V. (2011) Kris hilts: Masterpieces of South-east Asian Art. 5 Continents6. Van Zonneveld, A.G. (2001) Traditional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago.Leiden: Art Books7. Gardner, G. B. (1936). Keris and Other Malay Weapons. EP Publ.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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