Keris with a 14th century blade
Full Description:
A keris with an early blade with a ‘sepang’ dapur (straight blade with near symmetrical ganga - blade heel). The blade is 14th century from the kingdom of Pajajaran (west Java), and the dress is 19th century. The pamor (blade pattern) is a combination of beras wutah (scattered rice) and tumpal keli (piles of rice bags). The scabbard with a large wrangka (boat shaped throat) in trembolo wood. The pendok (lower part of the scabbard) in the same wood but with a copper covering which wraps around the back and to the sides and front leaving a central panel to show off the wood (blewah polos in paktong). The hilt of classical Javanese form with a copper gilt selut (ball shaped pommel which fits to the base of the hilt) mounted with small diamonds/rock crystals.
Often the original intention that the keris has magical and spiritual qualities is ignored, and the keris just considered an object or a weapon. In honour of the traditions of the keris and the empu (talented smiths) who made them, I would like to note what each pamor represents. Here the combination of parmor beras wutah and tumpul keli strengthen each other and aid the owner in spiritual and material wealth especially in marriage.
Provenance
Private Dutch collection
Collection of Wolfgang Schilling (Germany)