Sumatran keris for comments please

[Ian]

Rasdan, David and Alan:

Thank you very much for your various comments. I did not expect this to be a distinguished keris by any means. It looks like something from a bazaar, and Alan has confirmed this with his very specific comments about Pasar Turi. Great information.

The quality of workmanship on the scabbard reminded me of similar work on 20th C. Burmese "Temple Dha." These are decorative items, mainly worn by grooms at weddings, and often end up as wall hangers.

Interestingly, I had a friend over for dinner last night. He teaches at a local vocational college that happens to include electroplating in its curriculum. It was his considered opinion that the metal on the scabbard of my keris was likely electroplated nickel silver (EPNS) on top of brass. The roughness to the surface is apparently characteristic. (The smooth surface on EPNS cutlery etc. is after polishing.) He judged the quality of work as about average for one of his students (so not very well done).

Alan, I've added pics of the area you asked about.


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