Review on Lombok keris

[Anthony G.]

Hi

I would like to seek a third opinion. As a new beginner, I am trying to learn as much about keris etc. I have confirmed to acquire below item and seller and myself think it is about 150 years old.

However my friend advise that this keris is about 300 years old at least.I was shocked. He studied it based on the steel condition, pamor and age. These are only photo I have obtained.

[Rick]

I believe this form is a keris ligan, or keris pedang .

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ighlight=ligan

Personally, I couldn't speak to its age from pictures alone.

[Sajen]

What I can say is that the handle is very recent!

[kai]

Hello Anthony,

This is a well-known but rather rare style/dapur which seems to be associated with the warrior caste (i. e. above-average status).

However, this blade is extremely crudely forged - it doesn't resemble any craftsmanship nor pamor I've seen from genuine antique keris Bali or Lombok: I rather doubt this is more than a few decades (or very possibly years) old!

I also seem to see several major cold-shuts which would most likely result in the blade being unfit for any real use even if the age+wear hypothesis were true.

Disclaimer: It is pretty tough to assess pieces from pics and, thus, I could be wrong. In this case, I've very little doubt though...

Try to compare any putative acquisition with published examples (books and online) or preferably in real (at musea or with fellow collectors); and be even more careful when you can only find scant and unreliable references! Are you possibly Dutch? (To hang out with the keris study group may be a good idea, too.) Anyway, take every info you get with several grains of salt!

Regards,
Kai

[Anthony G.]

Hi

Thanks all for the advices. Cheers

[Anthony G.]

Originally Posted by kai

Hello Anthony,

This is a well-known but rather rare style/dapur which seems to be associated with the warrior caste (i. e. above-average status).

However, this blade is extremely crudely forged - it doesn't resemble any craftsmanship nor pamor I've seen from genuine antique keris Bali or Lombok: I rather doubt this is more than a few decades (or very possibly years) old!

I also seem to see several major cold-shuts which would most likely result in the blade being unfit for any real use even if the age+wear hypothesis were true.

Disclaimer: It is pretty tough to assess pieces from pics and, thus, I could be wrong. In this case, I've very little doubt though...

Try to compare any putative acquisition with published examples (books and online) or preferably in real (at musea or with fellow collectors); and be even more careful when you can only find scant and unreliable references! Are you possibly Dutch? (To hang out with the keris study group may be a good idea, too.) Anyway, take every info you get with several grains of salt!

Regards,
Kai

Thank you all members for your advices.