Neka Art Museum

[Pertinax]

The Keris Pavilion, which was officially opened in 2007, is one of the main attractions Balinese Dagger (Keris) as well as Kamardikan Keris.

There was very little time. The lighting is bad, so don't judge too harshly. There are a lot of photos, I will post them step by step. Enjoy.

[Pertinax]

Let's continue the review

[Pertinax]

Let's continue the review

[A. G. Maisey]

The previous display arrangement was much better than the present one, there were many more keris presented in a correct viewing position, instead of laying down, this crazy idea of laying them down makes it a bit difficult to get a clear impression of what one is looking at.

I've photographed this place a few times, the current presentation, + the poor light + the reflection does make things very difficult to get even halfway decent photos, probably the best way to go about photos is to photograph one side of the gallery in the morning, & one in the afternoon, & be prepared to come back a few times.

Given that you had only a short time, I think you've done pretty well.

The very first time I photographed the exhibits I did it with a little P&S camera, & these were maybe the best photos I ever got of the place. In 2023 I photographed every exhibit in the gallery that has the old keris in it, & really, these are so bad I'd be ashamed to show them, as it is, they're just record shots.

I'll probably be in Ubud again in a few weeks, I might have another go at trying to get some adequate shots then.

[JustYS]

Thank you for the photographs Pertinax.

I have a question looking at the notes, some Keris has Gelar (title) but the Mpu (keris maker) was left blank so unknown.

Who can give a title to a keris? The maker or the ruler? Even if it is the ruler normally the Mpu for that certain ruler is well known?

Thank you.

[Pertinax]

The photos of this exhibition are very unsuccessful. My wife took a video, if anyone is interested, write me a personal message, I will send it to my email.

[A. G. Maisey]

Perhaps the person who named the "Parts of a Keris Blade" might consider a crash course in basic keris understandings?

[Battara]

I LOVE Balinese keris. Their my absolute favorite of the Indonesian kerises.

Thank you for posting.:)

[David]

Thanks for the tour. If i am not mistaken the majority of keris in their collection are kamardikan. All quite nice regardless of age.

[David]

Perhaps the person who named the "Parts of a Keris Blade" might consider a crash course in basic keris understandings?

Agreed. First thing i noticed was that this blade has no jenggot despite a line pointing to where it could be. A few othe problem as well.

[A. G. Maisey]

When the keris gallery was opened it was all about current keris art, current era keris & current era dress.

However, a couple of years ago a new gallery was opened, on the same floor as the first one, & right alongside it, this new gallery has all older Balinese keris displayed.

Most of the photos shown here are of older Balinese keris, but a lot of the dress on these older keris is current era.This might not be to the taste of many collectors, but Balinese culture does not necessarily have the same standards as do collectors.