Palembang Durga Keris

A 'Sempana' keris with Meru pamor and stylized Durga hilt, Palembang, Sumatra - 19th century.

Details of this item

Price

€ 750

Status

Available

Region

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

Period

18th/19th century

Materials

Iron, Steel, Alloy, Bone, Wood

Price

€ 750

Status

Available

Region

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

(Palembang, Sumatra, Indonesia)

Period

18th/19th century

Materials

Iron, Steel, Alloy, Bone, Wood

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 wonderful example from Palembang, Sumatra with a rather uncommon blade type with combined pamor called ‘Meru’ and ‘Pedaringan Kebak’ (filled rice barn). The blade has 9 luk and features carbon steel hardened cutting edges and a fine constructed dapper shape called ‘Sempana’ a dapur type originating from royal households and therefore popular.

The hilt is carved of bone and shows a very stylistic ‘veiled Durga’ (the fierce and inaccessible goddess of darkness, wife of Shiva) with a stylistic crown. The cup is made of a copper alloy which elegantly includes the hilt. The scabbard is made of ‘kemuning’ wood.

 

 

Palembang Durga Keris

Condition

Good condition

Dimensions

Hilt length: 9cm

Blade length: 37cm

Blade ganja thickness: 11mm

Scabbard length: 42cm

Total length: 47.3cm

Weight

400g.

Comparable items

– Collection wereldmuseum acc.nr. RV-3600-1309

Provenance

Dutch private collection

Literature

– Gaspard de Narval “UKIRAN – Essai de classification des poignées de kris de l’archipel indonésien”

A 'Sempana' keris with Meru pamor and stylized Durga hilt, Palembang, Sumatra - 19th century.
A 'Sempana' keris with Meru pamor and stylized Durga hilt, Palembang, Sumatra - 19th century.
A 'Sempana' keris with Meru pamor and stylized Durga hilt, Palembang, Sumatra - 19th century.
A 'Sempana' keris with Meru pamor and stylized Durga hilt, Palembang, Sumatra - 19th century.
A 'Sempana' keris with Meru pamor and stylized Durga hilt, Palembang, Sumatra - 19th century.
A 'Sempana' keris with Meru pamor and stylized Durga hilt, Palembang, Sumatra - 19th century.
A 'Sempana' keris with Meru pamor and stylized Durga hilt, Palembang, Sumatra - 19th century.
A 'Sempana' keris with Meru pamor and stylized Durga hilt, Palembang, Sumatra - 19th century.
A 'Sempana' keris with Meru pamor and stylized Durga hilt, Palembang, Sumatra - 19th century.
A 'Sempana' keris with Meru pamor and stylized Durga hilt, Palembang, Sumatra - 19th century.
A 'Sempana' keris with Meru pamor and stylized Durga hilt, Palembang, Sumatra - 19th century.
A 'Sempana' keris with Meru pamor and stylized Durga hilt, Palembang, Sumatra - 19th century.
A 'Sempana' keris with Meru pamor and stylized Durga hilt, Palembang, Sumatra - 19th century.
A 'Sempana' keris with Meru pamor and stylized Durga hilt, Palembang, Sumatra - 19th century.
A 'Sempana' keris with Meru pamor and stylized Durga hilt, Palembang, Sumatra - 19th century.
A 'Sempana' keris with Meru pamor and stylized Durga hilt, Palembang, Sumatra - 19th century.
A 'Sempana' keris with Meru pamor and stylized Durga hilt, Palembang, Sumatra - 19th century.
A 'Sempana' keris with Meru pamor and stylized Durga hilt, Palembang, Sumatra - 19th century.
A 'Sempana' keris with Meru pamor and stylized Durga hilt, Palembang, Sumatra - 19th century.
A 'Sempana' keris with Meru pamor and stylized Durga hilt, Palembang, Sumatra - 19th century.
A 'Sempana' keris with Meru pamor and stylized Durga hilt, Palembang, Sumatra - 19th century.
A 'Sempana' keris with Meru pamor and stylized Durga hilt, Palembang, Sumatra - 19th century.
A 'Sempana' keris with Meru pamor and stylized Durga hilt, Palembang, Sumatra - 19th century.
A 'Sempana' keris with Meru pamor and stylized Durga hilt, Palembang, Sumatra - 19th century.
A 'Sempana' keris with Meru pamor and stylized Durga hilt, Palembang, Sumatra - 19th century.
A 'Sempana' keris with Meru pamor and stylized Durga hilt, Palembang, Sumatra - 19th century.
A 'Sempana' keris with Meru pamor and stylized Durga hilt, Palembang, Sumatra - 19th century.
A 'Sempana' keris with Meru pamor and stylized Durga hilt, Palembang, Sumatra - 19th century.
A 'Sempana' keris with Meru pamor and stylized Durga hilt, Palembang, Sumatra - 19th century.
A 'Sempana' keris with Meru pamor and stylized Durga hilt, Palembang, Sumatra - 19th century.
A 'Sempana' keris with Meru pamor and stylized Durga hilt, Palembang, Sumatra - 19th century.
A 'Sempana' keris with Meru pamor and stylized Durga hilt, Palembang, Sumatra - 19th century.