Antique kris collections on view in Jakarta<\/p>\n
By Tobias Glucksman
\nand Jason Tejasukmana<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Hidden amongst the lights, flags, fanfare and
\nfestivities of Indonesia's fifty years of independence, another
\nequally solemn, relatively unheralded celebration of the kris
\n(traditional dagger) is taking place at the BRI II building on
\nJl. Sudirman.<\/p>\n
For the newcomer to the world of the kris, or for those
\nIndonesians who find profound meaning in the kris'
\ncraftsmanship, beauty and magic, this collection of daggers --
\nspanning twelve centuries (8th to present) -- may be an
\nunprecedented opportunity to view such a diverse, high quality
\ncollection of these works of art.<\/p>\n
The kris on sale come from various private collections and
\nwill be on sale until Sept. 5. Prices start around Rp 650,000 and
\nrange in price up to Rp 15 million, though the average is around
\nRp 2 million. A certain, unspecified percentage of each sale
\nwill be donated to the Yayasan Sekar Melati, a children's
\ncharity.<\/p>\n
The exhibition begins as the doors to the elevator open on the
\n30th floor to the Enteos Club and to a massive six-foot
\nornamental kris, encased in glass, which easily dwarfs the
\nremaining pieces in the exhibition. The shear magnitude, detail
\nand glitter of precious metals and gems incorporated into the
\ndagger forewarns, or reminds, visitors that the world of the
\nkris, which they have just entered, is one of power,
\nsignificance and beauty.<\/p>\n
Within the Enteos Club, one is overcome again, this time by
\nthe array of high-quality daggers on display, their diverse
\naesthetic styles and the many regions from which they have been
\ngathered.<\/p>\n
Perhaps as many as a hundred kris are being shown. Some have
\nstraight blades, said by some to represent the sarpa tapa, or
\nsnake in meditation, while other curved blades have as many as
\ntwenty-seven whips, said to represent the sarpa lumaku, or snake
\nin movement. Some have highly ornamental sheaths and handles made
\nfrom gold laden in precious gems, while others are carved in
\nsandalwood, mangowood or teak.<\/p>\n
Each kris, regardless of style or technique, seems to have
\nits own magical identity. At the center of this identity is
\nundoubtedly the asymmetrical blade and its distinctive patterns
\nachieved by the alternating lamination of iron and nickel (often
\nas many as sixty four times).<\/p>\n
The curator of the exhibit explained that there were thirty
\nthree distinct parts to each kris blade, each with its own name.
\nThough the style and patterns of the blade help determine a
\nwork's significance, there are actually several visual and
\nspiritual aspects of a kris which determine its true worth:
\norigin, age, intactness, workmanship, shape, the quality of the
\niron, steel and the iron alloy used in the blade as well as its
\nhistory and the rituals performed during its construction.<\/p>\n
Though the history of most kris are perhaps known only by
\ntheir owners, the short history provided for one smaller kris
\nwith a simple sandalwood handle exemplifies the weight a dagger's
\npast can add to present stature. Apparently this smaller sized
\ntwo-patterned kris called tirto teja is made specifically for a
\nroyal Javanese woman. The owner, after marrying a non-Javanese
\nman, felt compelled to relinquish it to another Javanese woman.
\nToday, the dagger is thought to hold great spiritual powers;
\nperhaps partly due to its past owners' fidelity to custom.<\/p>\n
Another kris on exhibit, the Pusaka Senar, demonstrates the
\ndiverse aesthetic styles and meanings which have developed in
\nkris craftsmanship. This dagger is molded into the shape of a
\nclown from the Wayang story. The clown design, however,
\nrepresents a personification of the one God above all other
\ndeities. This kris is said to have great mystical power.<\/p>\n
An added bonus at the exhibition is an area devoted to
\nexplaining the process involved in making a kris. To help
\nclarify the technical process, Empu Subandi, one of five
\nremaining kris craftsmen in Solo, is also available to answer
\nquestions.<\/p>\n
Empu Subandi explained that it takes about three weeks to make
\na kris blade (bila\/wilah); roughly similar lengths of time are
\nrequired to make the sheath (warangka) and handle (hulu).<\/p>\n
\"In creating a kris which will hold powers, though, the owner
\nmust begin work on his kris only on a certain day in accordance
\nwith his birthday, and only during a certain moon,\" Empu Subandi
\nexplained.<\/p>\n
\"The process of adding power to a kris can take place over a
\nlifetime and it involves very special ceremonies of fasting and
\nmediation,\" he added. \"During each ceremony more power is added
\nto the kris.\"<\/p>\n
Empu Subandi explained that the blades which he made on
\nregular basis today might sell for as much as Rp 1.5 million when
\ncomplete. An antique kris of good quality, which also is
\nbelieved to hold powers, might sell for as much as Rp 30 million.<\/p>\n
Although he knows how to craft kris blades, Empu Subandi
\nnoted that the other components, such as the mendak (the metal
\npart between the handle and blade), the ganja (the base of the
\nblade), the handle and sheath are typically made by other
\nspecialized craftsmen, or empu, the Javanese title given to an
\nartist of masterful talent.<\/p>\n
The kris exhibition will remain at the Enteos Club until
\nSeptember 5; afterwards, those daggers which have not been sold
\nwill be moved to a first floor shop in the Hotel Ambhara near
\nBlok M.<\/p>\n
Auction preview<\/p>\n
Kris enthusiasts will also have a chance to see a preview of
\nIndonesian and Malaysian kris (with estimates ranging from S$500
\n- $2000) from European collections this weekend at the Summit
\nRoom in the Jakarta Convention Center.<\/p>\n
Singapore-based Gavel's Auctioneers will hold a public
\nexhibition of 52 kris and 21 pieces of antique Yogyakarta silver
\nthis Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m to 8 p.m, after which time
\nthe exhibit will move to Singapore. The collection, which also
\nincludes fine jewelry, pocket watches and wrist watches, will be
\nauctioned in Singapore on Sept.2 at the Shangri-La Hotel. Fully
\nillustrated catalogs will also be available.<\/p>",
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