Need some opinion about this modern keris

[Rick]

Nice new work Sepang !
Good looking ukiran , great finish on the wrongko , and the pendok is quite pretty .
A very nice ensemble .

There is some very good stuff being made today ; it can be hard to find amongst all the ersatz 'antiques' .

Thank heavens no one tried to 'age' it .....

[nechesh]

Originally Posted by Rick

Thank heavens no one tried to 'age' it .....

I second that! I wish these guys would just understand that if they apply themselves properly they will find that there truly is a market for high quality new keris. These shouldn't be looked upon as "repros". This is a living art still, not a revival quite yet. To take a beautifully executed piece like this one and subject it to harsh acids to make it appear old would be such a shame. I would much rather grow old WITH a keris like this.

[BluErf]

I'm seeing more and more good new kerises these days which are not artificially aged. I think high-quality new kerises are beginning to find their niche in the world of keris. And they are usually more expensive than the old ones of equivalent quality. Some of these kerises are made with 'designer' modern steel such as D2, and tempered (can pick up a coin easily). So, they are not only beautiful, they are to some extent, functional too.

[Rick]

Originally Posted by BluErf

I'm seeing more and more good new kerises these days which are not artificially aged. I think high-quality new kerises are beginning to find their niche in the world of keris. And they are usually more expensive than the old ones of equivalent quality. Some of these kerises are made with 'designer' modern steel such as D2, and tempered (can pick up a coin easily). So, they are not only beautiful, they are to some extent, functional too.

They certainly have their niche with me Kai wee .
Seriously , where else am I going to find affordable well executed rare dapurs and pamors ?
With the next one I receive I will have 5 excellent examples .

I can spot a faked antique a mile away after 9 years of collecting .
I have absolutely no idea why dealers try to perpetrate this crap when a good new piece will fetch as much or more money .

[BluErf]

I think there could be a shift in collecting emphasis. In the past, collectors wanted antique kerises, but now, there are collectors who would buy kerises for what they are - works of art.

[BSMStar]

My greatest hope is that these fine craftsmen are some how recognized and that the art is keep alive. Since Empu has such a special significance and meaning, maybe a new title should be invented for the "new masters" if this art. Then maybe we will see more master pieces produced and sold based on their inherent value rather than damaging them to look old.

A tree can only grow into the future by being firmly attached to its roots.

[BluErf]

I think some of these new mastersmiths don't want to be 'recognized'. They lead very low profile lives, and just want to concentrate on their art. So even if one had money, one may not be able to get kerises made by these mastersmiths.

[Kiai Carita]

Originally Posted by BSMStar

My greatest hope is that these fine craftsmen are some how recognized and that the art is keep alive. Since Empu has such a special significance and meaning, maybe a new title should be invented for the "new masters" if this art. Then maybe we will see more master pieces produced and sold based on their inherent value rather than damaging them to look old.

A tree can only grow into the future by being firmly attached to its roots.

The seller of the above mentioned keris is a young Indonesian in Surabaya who realy loves keris and is dedicated to the wellfare of keris culture. He personaly knows alot of the quality keris makers in Jawa and Madura and he also posts on this forum. I personally have never met him but have bought three kerises from his website and I am in personal email contact with him and I believe that he would never knowingly mislead anyone about his wares. As an Indonesian I rarely trust my fellow countrymen in the market but this seller has dedication and knowledge.

He wants to keep the keris knowledge and culture alive and has lately been putting more and more high quality new keris up for sale. One problem: good new keris costs alot to make so you can purchase a mediocre old keris for half the price, and to many people are stil doing that. Actualy I should reiterate a previous post that it is ilegal to take old keris out of the country even though it is possible and easy to break the law without consequence. If more people give good dollar for new quality keris more Mpu will make good keris and when an individual consistently makes good keris he will eventually be recognized as an Mpu by society. We have the power to create Mpus!

Like all artists keris makers need patrons and in this globalized world the market can become the patron. For the sake of keris culture please demand that our friend in Surabaya put more and more good quality new keris up for sale and please be prepared to pay good money as if you were purchasing a contenporary oil painting. Congratulations for whoever has this splendid blade on hold!

Warm salams to all,
Kiai Carita.