Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - Bali Keris, original stain and other comments

David · 29th June 2010, 01:02 PM

I also think this is an old Bali blade, probably 19th century, with an old Bali stain. The tip of the scabbard doesn't look like a repair to me. It is very common for there to be a nice piece of patterned wood inlaid into to front of the stem like this.
I agree that the gonjo looks a bit short, though i cannot tell from the photos if it has been shortened or just made this way. The markings are unusual and very interesting and i would think most definitely intentional. No clue as to way though.

Lew, i could be wrong, but i don't think there has been much keris production in Bali post WWII. All those contemporary "Bali" blades we are seeing are coming from Madura or Jawa.

29th June 2010, 01:02 PM	#6
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	I also think this is an old Bali blade, probably 19th century, with an old Bali stain. The tip of the scabbard doesn't look like a repair to me. It is very common for there to be a nice piece of patterned wood inlaid into to front of the stem like this. I agree that the gonjo looks a bit short, though i cannot tell from the photos if it has been shortened or just made this way. The markings are unusual and very interesting and i would think most definitely intentional. No clue as to way though. Lew, i could be wrong, but i don't think there has been much keris production in Bali post WWII. All those contemporary "Bali" blades we are seeing are coming from Madura or Jawa.