SUASA Copper/Gold or Gold/Copper alloy

[VVV]

Willem,

It's 25% gold, 19% silver and 56% copper.

Michael

[ThePepperSkull]

Originally Posted by VVV

Willem,

It's 25% gold, 19% silver and 56% copper.

Michael

Very interesting. Does this recipe for suasa vary depending on region, or is this the standard for what we usually see?

[A. G. Maisey]

Suasa was made and used over a very wide area at a time when there was no stardardisation of anything across this area.

The component parts of suasa vary.

I have a Lombok or Bali suasa pendok that tests as 14ct.

I have a Palembang suasa pendok that tests as slightly less.

I have a mendak that tests as 10ct.

I have several other examples of suasa that have not been tested and that vary in colour from the ones I have had tested, and from each other.

[Gavin Nugent]

Another example as requested.

Gav

[kai]

Hello Gavin,

your example would have been referred to as gold, even if it were a fairly low carat alloy. Suasa is supposed to have that copper hue but contain enough gold to avoid getting patinated when handled regularly. Basically, any yellow gold alloy (including "pure" gold) would be considered gold while red gold would be suasa (often at the low end of the carat scale).

Regards,
Kai

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by kai

Hello Gavin,

your example would have been referred to as gold, even if it were a fairly low carat alloy. Suasa is supposed to have that copper hue but contain enough gold to avoid getting patinated when handled regularly. Basically, any yellow gold alloy (including "pure" gold) would be considered gold while red gold would be suasa (often at the low end of the carat scale).

Regards,
Kai

Thanks Kai,

Although there is not the desirable hue as you note, the bottom image, there are 'rusty' copper 'flecks' seen in the image and found on ...what accounts for this? It is found on the bands too...just not enough melting of the alloys together?

This spear also has the same compound by the eye and it is think banding...the copper is in there...so is the gold.....


Gav

[kai]

Hello Gavin,

Probably impossible to ascertain from pics of your peurawot. More often than not, this is a sign of gilt construction (on copper or brass) with copper leaching out through imperfections/wear. Maybe you can find any hints under magnification?

The spear looks very much like having gilt bands. In this case the gold seems to be very thin and may have been applied from very thin sheet gold.

Regards,
Kai

[David]

Originally Posted by kai

Hello Gavin,

your example would have been referred to as gold, even if it were a fairly low carat alloy. Suasa is supposed to have that copper hue but contain enough gold to avoid getting patinated when handled regularly. Basically, any yellow gold alloy (including "pure" gold) would be considered gold while red gold would be suasa (often at the low end of the carat scale).

Regards,
Kai

I am afraid that your judgement may not be accurate based solely on this photograph Kai. If the image isn't properly white balances hues can rage wildly.

[A. G. Maisey]

Yep. The camera lies. And since we got digicams and Photoshop, a lot more than it ever did previously.

[kai]

Hello David,

I am afraid that your judgement may not be accurate based solely on this photograph Kai. If the image isn't properly white balances hues can rage wildly.

Sure, but do you see any hints for wrong balance settings here?

I have seen a few more pics of these pieces and am sure Gavin would correct us if our speculations would be off balance...

Regards,
Kai

[VVV]

Originally Posted by ThePepperSkull

Very interesting. Does this recipe for suasa vary depending on region, or is this the standard for what we usually see?

My recipe was for Aceh, the same region as Willem's rencong comes from.

Michael

[A. G. Maisey]

Gav, gilding was very common in Jawa and Bali, and is still available in Jawa. I'm not talking gold plate, I'm talking fire gilding.I don't know about Sumatera.

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Gav, gilding was very common in Jawa and Bali, and is still available in Jawa. I'm not talking gold plate, I'm talking fire gilding.I don't know about Sumatera.

Indeed Alan, many things are gilded or painted in gold and other bright colours within Bali, Java I can not speak of.
Mainland SEA I see it is quite common in history although mostly around religion but very seldom have I seen other regions of SEA spoken of regarding gilding of any sort.
Any digression in from suasa to gilding from those more learned in the subjects.

Gav

[A. G. Maisey]

Gav, when gold is painted onto wood or other surfaces in Jawa and Bali, we refer to it as "prada" (pron. "prodo"). We use the same term for gold leaf applied over wood, whether it is the modern plastic gold, or traditional gold leaf.

I am not referring to this in my earlier post.

I am referring to fire gilding

http://www.ganoksin.com/borisat/nena...ilding-9-3.htm

[Gavin Nugent]

Thanks Alan,

I have never seen the art done first hand and I am not sure I would want to unless it was done behind glass.
I did read a little about this method when researching the gold retained on the late 16th century Khanda/Patissa in my collections. it seems is was very common in old Hindu India, likely I would guess how it came down in the Java and Bali.

I'd love to see more study pieces from the regions.

Gav