Quote:
Originally Posted by Patje1970
I don't think it's a casting. material seems more like antler or bone. The selut attachted is from metal. I don't see evidence of tiny pits. If it is aged it was very professionally made (blackened cavities, etc.)
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Another clue you gave was the impression of heavyness and being cool to the touch. Then there is the matter of all the 'gunk' in the crevices.
When I was first collecting kerisses I received a very intricate Madura hilt; it too felt heavy and cool to the touch also with lots of gunk in the crevices. I figured I would clean it up and in doing so discovered it was a casting made from some kind of heavy non natural material and aged quite professionally.
I'll be interested in what you discover when you do a bit of testing.