Strange Keris for Comment (alert)

RobT · 21st April 2005, 02:47 AM

I was surprised to see nine bids on that item. But what was really shocking was the ebay handle of one of the high bidders. One would think with a name like that he or she would have known better. If the bidding was indeed driven by the ivory (and I agree with Andrew that it was), then ignorant speculators might see a large number of faux pieces coming their way. This may not serve to reduce the level of ignorance but hopefully it will reduce the number of those willing to speculate.
Sincerely,
RobT

rahman · 21st April 2005, 03:12 AM

I don't think it would be terribly difficult to forge grain on plastic, so we can expect to see better quality plastic replicas soon. See the separate thread on plastic keris. And it would be rather difficult to tell the difference from photos on ebay. I personally would hesitate to buy any ivory just from photos.

Unfortunately, buyers were taken in by the very low opening bid for what they took to be real ivory

Alam Shah is right that the blade may have talismanic qualities, but it's not pamur but some kind of inlay. I have one that my father bought for a very low price from Semarang (Indonesia) 50 years ago.

Conogre · 21st April 2005, 06:30 AM

About four years ago, a friend was buying items in Bali on yearly trips, then financing her trips by EBaying the items she brought back.....it was about this time that she brought back keris, similar to the one pictured (the fake), kanjars, and khoumiyas, all with blades made as described by Ian.
The blades appear to have been machine stamped, due to the rounded edges, and the "pamor" applied by painting molten metal onto the base blade.
Other "faux" materials seen were ebony, ivory and Onyx and even animal teeth.
As near as could be determined, I believe these disgustingly cheap fakes (seen up close, they are appalling) are being produced in Irianjaya, along with the brown/yellow mandaus, spears, axes and shields.
Ian, were the blades you examined even magnetic?
Several that I saw with the "artificial" pamor were apparently poured or stamped out of very cheap, non-magnetic pot metal.
Mike

21st April 2005, 02:47 AM	#1
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 561	9 bids I was surprised to see nine bids on that item. But what was really shocking was the ebay handle of one of the high bidders. One would think with a name like that he or she would have known better. If the bidding was indeed driven by the ivory (and I agree with Andrew that it was), then ignorant speculators might see a large number of faux pieces coming their way. This may not serve to reduce the level of ignorance but hopefully it will reduce the number of those willing to speculate. Sincerely, RobT

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21st April 2005, 03:12 AM	#2
rahman Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 84	I don't think it would be terribly difficult to forge grain on plastic, so we can expect to see better quality plastic replicas soon. See the separate thread on plastic keris. And it would be rather difficult to tell the difference from photos on ebay. I personally would hesitate to buy any ivory just from photos. Unfortunately, buyers were taken in by the very low opening bid for what they took to be real ivory Alam Shah is right that the blade may have talismanic qualities, but it's not pamur but some kind of inlay. I have one that my father bought for a very low price from Semarang (Indonesia) 50 years ago.

21st April 2005, 06:30 AM	#3
Conogre Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Clearwater, Florida Posts: 371	About four years ago, a friend was buying items in Bali on yearly trips, then financing her trips by EBaying the items she brought back.....it was about this time that she brought back keris, similar to the one pictured (the fake), kanjars, and khoumiyas, all with blades made as described by Ian. The blades appear to have been machine stamped, due to the rounded edges, and the "pamor" applied by painting molten metal onto the base blade. Other "faux" materials seen were ebony, ivory and Onyx and even animal teeth. As near as could be determined, I believe these disgustingly cheap fakes (seen up close, they are appalling) are being produced in Irianjaya, along with the brown/yellow mandaus, spears, axes and shields. Ian, were the blades you examined even magnetic? Several that I saw with the "artificial" pamor were apparently poured or stamped out of very cheap, non-magnetic pot metal. Mike