Bali keris ?

[David]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Yes, if --- and I do mean "if" --- this blade has Balinese connections, it is certainly more likely to be Lombok than Island of Bali, but I just can't get past that pamor work. I'd need to handle it before I'd be game enough to give an opinion.

I was wondering if you might give a more extensive response on the pamor work itself Alan. Is it simply because it is tangkis, or is it the types of pamor patterns that don't jive with you? Or is it the quality of execution that doesn't seem correct? Again i ask because i have a tangkis blade i have been led to believe is probably of Bali/Lombak origin, though the two patterns are not the same pamor as this one.
I think that there is no question that the surface finish alone is not enough to place this blade in Bali. Certainly old Jawa keris that left the island long ago can have this smooth finish and there are many examples of Lombok keris with rough finishes.