spectacular carving for comment

[A. G. Maisey]

Marius, I believe I am correct when I say that this object was intended as a work of art, or craft.

Throughout history, even the very greatest artists and craftsmen have had their work criticised. It is very probably a disservice to the world at large for a person who has the background, knowledge and experience to feel confident in criticism of the work of others, not to level criticism, praise or comment where this is warranted.

So, when you ask the question:- "who are we to criticise?", I believe that there are those amongst us who do have the requisite background, knowledge and experience to make comment, praise or criticism in respect of items posted to this Forum.

In fact, very often items are posted with the express request for comment.

Of course, sometimes some objects for which an opinion is requested are beyond --- often far beyond --- the remote possibility of comment, and these objects do not receive any comment, criticism or praise.

In respect of this dragon object there is an even balance of praise and criticism:- on the one hand the craftsmanship is quite acceptable, not yet brilliant, but pretty good just the same, however the craftsman who produced it made absolutely no attempt to work within the lexicon of Javanese art, and if he did indeed have any understanding of the cultural position of the keris, he certainly did not let this interfere with what he produced.