East Javanese Keris (Kris) Solo Dagger with 17th C Blade

SKU: ED1498 Category:

Description

An East Javanese Keris with 17th century blade. From the Sultanate of Mataram
Senopaten. Asal (origin): Surakarta. The Keris with a hand-forged ‘7 Luk’ waved Wilah
(blade), consists of Pamor steel forged in different layers of iron (pattern type: ‘Pulau Tirto’
= Islands’). Dapur in ‘Singa Barong’ shape, ‘Kinatah Emas Wedono Lima-Barong’ with 3-
dimensional animal figure and later gilding. Small gilt nickel Mendak (cuff) between hilt
and blade of ‘Meniran’ type. Ukiran (hilt) in ‘Jejeran Yudo Winatan’ shape, and carved
from Teak Desa wood. Warangka (scabbard throat) of ‘Ladrang Kadipaten Sepuh’ type
(‘boat’ shaped) and made from teak wood patiently carved by hand. Gandar (scabbard
body) with nickel Pendok (cover), silver plated Bunton decorated with Batik pattern in
Desa style. Length of the blade, including ‘Pesi’ (tang of the blade): 16 3/8″; overall 17
15/16″.

The Sultanate of Mataram was the last major independent Javanese kingdom on Java
before the Dutch colonized this island. It was the dominant political force radiating from
the interior Central Java from the late 16th century until the beginning of the 18th century.
Mataram reached its peak of power during the reign of Sultan Agung Hanyokrokusumo (c.
1613-1645), and began to decline after his death in 1645. By the mid-18th century,
Mataram lost both power and territory to the Dutch East India Company (VOC). From
there on It became a vassal state of the company by 1749.