View Full Version : Javanese keris /nice wood /...blade ??
asomotif
9th December 2009, 02:55 PM
I bought this keris based on some pictures of the handle and scabbard.
Now it turns out to have a rather simple small blade (24 cms without the peksi)
It seems to be an all original item well fitted in the scabbard.
But the blade looks very simple compared to the wood that must have had some values in past times.
Any suggestions on the blade, (and wood)
sirek
9th December 2009, 07:39 PM
I think the wood is a form of:
Timoho Pelet - Belang Sapi
( kleinhovia-Hospita )
Rick
9th December 2009, 09:44 PM
Pelet or paint ? :confused:
It's a Gonjo Iras blade .
A Kebo form of some sort ?
Is that an older Madura style mendak ?
Regardless, for some reason it appeals to me . ;) :)
Henk
9th December 2009, 10:29 PM
I'm afraid as Rick suggested the pellet wood is painted. Did you try to clean the wood? You should try it on a small not very visible spot. I think you will notice the paint will be on the cloth while cleaning. Be careful please, because it is after all a nice keris. Painted pellet is often seen. Is the backside of the scabbard plain wood? 1 to 10 the pellet is painted.
Rick
9th December 2009, 11:03 PM
Pelet or painted , I find it pleasing . :)
David
9th December 2009, 11:33 PM
Well, it does seem odd that someone would paint a false pelet line right through the top cecekan instead of inbetween the two where i would think it would be more pleasing. :shrug:
asomotif
9th December 2009, 11:50 PM
I'm afraid as Rick suggested the pellet wood is painted. Did you try to clean the wood? You should try it on a small not very visible spot. I think you will notice the paint will be on the cloth while cleaning. Be careful please, because it is after all a nice keris. Painted pellet is often seen. Is the backside of the scabbard plain wood? 1 to 10 the pellet is painted.
Henk, I think this is real pellet wood.
The wrangka and ukiran both have visible signs of being cleaned in the past with either fine sandpaper or steel wool. Would the paint survive that ?
I have also tried cleaning it with a damp cloth and even applied some very fine sandpaper one 1 spot. But notjing comes of.
The bottom of the scabbard is made from one piece.
The back is mostly dark.
Anyway, I am quite sure it is not painted. Which brings me to the question.
What kind of blade is this ?
It looks very simple. But why the fancy wood ?
Is this an old blade ?
Rick
10th December 2009, 12:30 AM
Neither the dress nor the blade seem new . :shrug:
@ Henk, that was more a question than a suggestion as I posed it . :)
Sajen
10th December 2009, 12:39 AM
Hello Willem,
when the warangka and hilt kendit is original it's a very nice dress and I agree with you that the blade look's oddly but I agree with Rick that the blade is old. Special the kembang kacang is unsual.
Detlef
David
10th December 2009, 01:18 AM
The kembang kacang almost looks like it was an after thought. I even wondered if it had been done at a later time.
Yes Willem, the blade is a simple one. It is village work that doesn't look particularly skillful. So when you ask why the fancy wood i think that it is anybody's guess. If the wood is indeed real pelet and if the sheath was indeed actually made for the blade then it would seem that this keris was important to someone for some reason. But we could really speculate forever on the reasoning and all we would be doing is just guessing. Someone must of liked this blade, but i don't believe it was because it is any special type of keris. It certainly isn't based upon the quality of the blade.
BluErf
10th December 2009, 01:50 AM
Henk, I think this is real pellet wood.
The wrangka and ukiran both have visible signs of being cleaned in the past with either fine sandpaper or steel wool. Would the paint survive that ?
I have also tried cleaning it with a damp cloth and even applied some very fine sandpaper one 1 spot. But notjing comes of.
The bottom of the scabbard is made from one piece.
The back is mostly dark.
Anyway, I am quite sure it is not painted. Which brings me to the question.
What kind of blade is this ?
It looks very simple. But why the fancy wood ?
Is this an old blade ?
There is this method using the soldering iron tool, which can produce black/brown burn marks on wood. We used to do art and craft using this method in school. :)
David
10th December 2009, 02:05 AM
There is this method using the soldering iron tool, which can produce black/brown burn marks on wood. We used to do art and craft using this method in school. :)
I'm not convinced yet that it isn't painted or dyed, but i don't think the marks look as if they were burnt on. :shrug:
BluErf
10th December 2009, 02:28 AM
The gandar may be real pelet wood, but the wrangka is and hilt are the suspects. Woodburning techniques can achieve a longer lasting effect and you can even have differential tones depending on the length of time spent on burning each part. This artwork shows what can be achieved...
http://www.bobsartinwood.com/gallery/pages/Z2.htm
Alam Shah
10th December 2009, 02:33 AM
The kendit on the hilt and sheath cross-piece, doesn't look natural to me. As for the kembang kacang, I'm with David.. perhaps it and after thought.. looking at the structure, where the kembang kacang is, seems disturbed, as though it's attached.. of course, I could be mistaken.. :)
asomotif
10th December 2009, 11:54 AM
The kendit on the hilt and sheath cross-piece, doesn't look natural to me. As for the kembang kacang, I'm with David.. perhaps it and after thought.. looking at the structure, where the kembang kacang is, seems disturbed, as though it's attached.. of course, I could be mistaken..
I will clean the blade and maybe this will give some better idea of the kembang kacang. It seems like an original item to me, but crudely finished.
As for the pellet. If possible I will make some better pictures.
Best regards,
Willem
asomotif
10th December 2009, 10:18 PM
Surprise, they stained, burned or dyed the inside of the wrangka :) :p
Rick
11th December 2009, 01:11 AM
Why they'll stop at nothing !! :D
David
11th December 2009, 05:42 AM
Inconceivable!!! :D
BluErf
11th December 2009, 03:19 PM
Anybody noticed how the grain above the kendit line and the grain below it is different? :)
Alam Shah
11th December 2009, 03:54 PM
Anybody noticed how the grain above the kendit line and the grain below it is different? :)Yes, I do.. besides that, the colour looks 'kinda off', as though it is treated.. or is it the lighting effect?
Rick
11th December 2009, 04:39 PM
I'm betting its lighting .
Very interesting grain change at the kendit line .
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