Mixed blade pattern keris Tritik pamor
Full Description:
A nineteenth-century bejewelled and gold-mounted keris dagger from the Indonesian island, Bali. The gently curved, double-edged blade with tapering and pointy tip, known as urubing wilah, presents 3 waves (luk). This distinctive blade pattern (pamor), usually referred to as tritik, showcases mixed and multiple blade patterns that are achieved through alternating laminations of iron and nickelous iron. The most recognisable pamors in the present example are the creeping snake (uler lututh) and sitting locust (untu walang). To pay respect to the keris tradition and the skilled craftsmanship of the smiths (empu) who produced them, it is important to note that keris blades were said to be imbued with magical and spiritual qualities. In this dagger, the powerful combination of uler lututh and untu walang pamors aim to foster spiritual and material wealth.
Keris scabbards usually feature a wrangka, which is typically a boat-shaped, horizontal section located at the top of the scabbard. The wrangka is a functional component of the design. It is used to rest the keris over a traditional Indonesian fabric waistbelt, into which the keris is tucked in. The present wrangka is made of wood (pelet kayu) that becomes stained with uneven, dark, grain-like patterns due to a fungal infection. The wood used for this particular keris is a highly prized autochthonous clear wood called beras wutah.
The front of the wrangka is adorned with a cusped, gem-set repoussé gold sheet plaque encrusted with five unevenly sized semi-precious red stones that are mounted on high collets among embossed vegetal motifs. The gold sheet scabbard cover (gandar) showcases conventional Indonesian patterns, such as beaded bands, lavish vegetal meanderings, and an endless knot over a quadripartite diamond-like shape filled with stylised flowers. The rounded wooden hilt with its slightly bulbous middle is fitted with brass mounts. The ring sitting between the hilt and the blade (the gilt mendak) is encrusted with rubies and red cabochon semi-precious stones, echoing the repoussé plaque on the wrangka.
Provenance
European art market