The authenticity of a keris can sometimes be gauged from the assessment of a number of factors. In general, these factors would be taken to be, but would not be limited to :-
percieved weight; the characteristics of the iron, steel and pamor; the physical appearance of the keris; the shape of the gonjo; the shape of the gandik; the shape of the blumbangan; the shape of the sogokan; the existence or not of an ada-ada ,its length and form; the execution of the kruwingan; the style of the luk; the shape of the wadidang, the method of construction; the quality of workmanship.
To correctly assess the iron, steel and pamor, a keris should be in stain.
If it is not in stain and all that can be seen is white metal, that white metal could be anything. It may not even be ferrous.
In a photograph it is very difficult to accurately present the three dimensional form of a keris, and the inter-relationship of proportion.
It is not possible to gain any idea at all of weight and the distribution of that weight, unless the keris is handled.
Texture of the material can only be guessed at.
The competent application of the parameters listed above is possible if the person applying those parameters is a specialist in the appraisal of keris.
Such specialists are few and far between and are for the most part found in Java. However, even the very best of these specialists have been misled by forgers.
This discussion began with the presentation of several photographs of a keris of unusual form, with an eroded surface and out of stain.
The person who presented these photographs asked for an opinion regarding the age of the keris in the photographs.
I doubt that any Javanese keris specialist would be prepared to commit himself upon the basis of these photographs to a firm opinion on the authenticity of the keris which began this discussion. Further, I believe it would be unlikely that any competent authority would provide a definite opinion on the authenticity of any keris as difficult to appraise as the keris Buda form, upon the basis of photographs.
The opinions that have been given have provided interesting discussion, but the these opinions should be accepted for the friendly social exchanges that they are.
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