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3 Swords from Java? Need help with identification/dates please
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<p>[QUOTE="Any Jewelry, post: 602720, member: 2844"]Well... the mandau has been correctly identified by dear Phaik Hooi, who used to live on Borneo, so she should know.<img src="styles/default/xenforo/smilies/wink.png" class="mceSmilie" alt=";)" unselectable="on" /></p><p><br /></p><p>The other two are keris.<img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie49" alt=":happy:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /><img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie49" alt=":happy:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /><img src="styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" class="mceSmilieSprite mceSmilie49" alt=":happy:" unselectable="on" unselectable="on" /></p><p>The top one is from Djokjakarta/Yogyakarta in central Java. The blade and hilt are excellent quality, and I wouldn't be surprised if the 'mendak' or hilt ring is precious metal.</p><p>The damascene-like pattern on the blade is called pamor, each pamor has a different meaning, so I would love to see more of the blade. Pamor as such is not a sign of quality per sé, some of the most sought after blades are 'empty'. And there are souvenir keris with fake etched pamors.</p><p>But the general execution of this blade confirms quality. It has twelve 'luk' or curves, which means it is a spiritual keris.</p><p>The hilt is of the Nunggak Semi type, with two little masks. The style, fairly straight and small, is typical of Yogyakarta. The shape of the ship of the sheath is also typical of Yogyakarta. Could I also see the other side of the sheath? It can be easily repaired btw, just a bit of glue on the wooden parts, not the metal.</p><p>Nunggak Semi means sprouting tree trunk. It is a pretty general type in Java and Madura, based on a stylised ancestor figure.</p><p>The sprouting bit of the hilt, the second mask, has to do with the complicated matter of which royal family was the actual heir to the throne of the ancient Majapahit empire. The kingdoms of Demak and Madura were the only real heirs, but a new kingdom in Central Java claimed the old title. This hilt originated in Demak, on the north coast of Java, as a symbolic protest against the new rulers of Central Java who usurped most of Java and Madura, greatly helped by the Dutch East India Company.</p><p><br /></p><p>The other keris is from Bali. The blade could have some age, but the beautifully carved 'clothes' are probably mid-20th century. Those sheaths and hilts were mostly carved for souvenir pieces, although some, like this one, contain traditional blades. Would love to see this blade as well.<img src="styles/default/xenforo/smilies/smile.png" class="mceSmilie" alt=":)" unselectable="on" /></p><p>The hilt is carved in the shape of a demon called Buta Nawa Sari. He is related to Shiva Bhairava worship, Shiva as the destroyer in the cycle of creation-sustaining-destroying-creation, etc.</p><p>In Indonesia demons are not necessarily evil. Moreover, the presence of a figure of a demon means the real demon stays away, because that space is already occupied by another demon. Indonesian demons are not the brightest bunch.<img src="styles/default/xenforo/smilies/wink.png" class="mceSmilie" alt=";)" unselectable="on" /></p><p>I am guessing your Buta has a flower or a bunch of rice ears behand his back, in his right hand.</p><p>The hilt ring is brass inlaid with glass cabochons.</p><p>The front of the ship of the sheath probably has a mask with hands next to it, but we'll see that when you can post more pics.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="Any Jewelry, post: 602720, member: 2844"]Well... the mandau has been correctly identified by dear Phaik Hooi, who used to live on Borneo, so she should know.;) The other two are keris.:happy::happy::happy: The top one is from Djokjakarta/Yogyakarta in central Java. The blade and hilt are excellent quality, and I wouldn't be surprised if the 'mendak' or hilt ring is precious metal. The damascene-like pattern on the blade is called pamor, each pamor has a different meaning, so I would love to see more of the blade. Pamor as such is not a sign of quality per sé, some of the most sought after blades are 'empty'. And there are souvenir keris with fake etched pamors. But the general execution of this blade confirms quality. It has twelve 'luk' or curves, which means it is a spiritual keris. The hilt is of the Nunggak Semi type, with two little masks. The style, fairly straight and small, is typical of Yogyakarta. The shape of the ship of the sheath is also typical of Yogyakarta. Could I also see the other side of the sheath? It can be easily repaired btw, just a bit of glue on the wooden parts, not the metal. Nunggak Semi means sprouting tree trunk. It is a pretty general type in Java and Madura, based on a stylised ancestor figure. The sprouting bit of the hilt, the second mask, has to do with the complicated matter of which royal family was the actual heir to the throne of the ancient Majapahit empire. The kingdoms of Demak and Madura were the only real heirs, but a new kingdom in Central Java claimed the old title. This hilt originated in Demak, on the north coast of Java, as a symbolic protest against the new rulers of Central Java who usurped most of Java and Madura, greatly helped by the Dutch East India Company. The other keris is from Bali. The blade could have some age, but the beautifully carved 'clothes' are probably mid-20th century. Those sheaths and hilts were mostly carved for souvenir pieces, although some, like this one, contain traditional blades. Would love to see this blade as well.:) The hilt is carved in the shape of a demon called Buta Nawa Sari. He is related to Shiva Bhairava worship, Shiva as the destroyer in the cycle of creation-sustaining-destroying-creation, etc. In Indonesia demons are not necessarily evil. Moreover, the presence of a figure of a demon means the real demon stays away, because that space is already occupied by another demon. Indonesian demons are not the brightest bunch.;) I am guessing your Buta has a flower or a bunch of rice ears behand his back, in his right hand. The hilt ring is brass inlaid with glass cabochons. The front of the ship of the sheath probably has a mask with hands next to it, but we'll see that when you can post more pics.[/QUOTE]
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3 Swords from Java? Need help with identification/dates please
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