Lombok ‘Bima Kroda’ Keris

A 'Bima Kroda' keris with auspicious 23-luk pamor blade. Lombok, Indonesia - 19th century.

Details of this item

Price

 750

Status

Available

Region

South East Asia (Burma, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines)
(Lombok, Indonesia)

Period

19th century

Materials

Iron, Pelet Tulak wood, Brass, Glass

Price

 750

Status

Available

Region

South East Asia (Burma, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines)

(Lombok, Indonesia)

Period

19th century

Materials

Iron, Pelet Tulak wood, Brass, Glass

Description

The keris is one of the most iconic weapons of the Indonesian archipel. Besides hundreds of years of heritage, it is also known in Indonesian religion to posses mythical powers. The keris from the modern period (1300-1600A.D.) are also an important symbol of status for the owner.
Not every keris was suitable for every man. The ‘Empu’ (bladesmith) forges the blade to identify its future owner. Aspects such as leadership, wealth, luck or capability of consorting with bad spirits are a few of the numerous types.

This example:

A rather special specimen accompanied in a very suitable ‘pelet tulak’ dress. The hilt is called ‘cecekahan’ which means ‘uneven notches’ and is made of ‘pelet tulak’ wood.
The use of ‘pelet’ wood was practiced mostly on Java, Bali and Lombok and is a type of wood which was infested by a fungus making a wonderful pattern which was considered sacred and therefor highly demanded. While the use of wood could be interpreted cheaper then lavishly decorated keris, the cost of a good piece of ‘pelet’ wood was even more expensive then ivory. The hilt has a gild brass ferrule called ‘wewer’ with inserted glass mimicking gemstones. The blade shows a rare ‘Bima Kroda’ dapur consisting of twenty three luk. The wild pamor decor which has been traditionally washed shows a fine contrast of folded iron with inserted nickel.

An interesting feature is that the ‘pelet’ grain on the ‘gandar’ shows striking similarities with the pamor on the blade. The backside of the scabbard is polychromed.

 

Lombok ‘Bima Kroda’ Keris

Condition

Good condition, wewer ferrule is missing two glass stones.

Dimensions

Hilt length: 13cm

Blade length: 48.8cm (peksi not included)

Scabbard length: 52cm

Total length: 63.7cm

Weight

519g.

Comparable items

Provenance

Dutch private collection

Literature