Keris Tajong – I have just found A fine and rare example of a form of keris whose origin is from Patani, an area covering the southern tip of Thailand including Kelantan, northern Malaysia. Its very unique handle, made of dark wood called kenaung, is finely and deeply carved in the form of the Tajong.
It has been described by writers from the west as a kingfisher. It is also called "Pekaka" by many in the area, in resemblance to a bird of the same name. According to The Malay Art Gallery, Krises are traditionally made without any date stampings or engravings of the makers' name.
Although a kris smith or "empu" has his own styles configured together with the dapor and especially the ganjar (cross piece). Obvious age wear and tear, usage, familiarity with forms, motifs and designs, origin and history, mediums and materials used are our guidelines in determining an approximate age. This particular piece I have seek the opinion from the expert from Tha Malay Art Gallry, basing on his the experience and knowledge, should go back to early to Mid 19th century.
From the information from the net, the Keris tajong is regarded as a warrior’s kris. Aggression is conveyed by the dark wood and in the fierce expression of the face carved in the hilt. The legs and arms found on early hilts are no longer present in this example as a result of Islamic influence though Langkasukan motifs on the body spiral and in the detail carving are still visible. The crosspiece of the sheath is flared, a shaped that is to derive from the fishing vessels of the same name in Pattani. The third eye of Siva is lightly engraved along the lower edge of the crosspiece.
No comments:
Post a Comment