Yes Bjorn, intent is the crucial factor.
If an alteration is undertaken by a merchant, that merchant's intent is very probably to increase his profit. I doubt that anybody would argue with this.
However, if we consider the cost of an alteration such as the placement of a figure --- naga, singo, puthut --- into the body of a keris, by the use of forge techniques, then we are looking at a cost that would negate any increase in profit.
This is not to say that such profit driven alterations did not take place (note:- past tense) but when they did occur the work was invariably crude, or crudely disguised, usually by a profusion of gold that covered the joints.
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