Bali Keris, original stain and other comments

David · 29th June 2010, 01:02 PM

I also think this is an old Bali blade, probably 19th century, with an old Bali stain. The tip of the scabbard doesn't look like a repair to me. It is very common for there to be a nice piece of patterned wood inlaid into to front of the stem like this.
I agree that the gonjo looks a bit short, though i cannot tell from the photos if it has been shortened or just made this way. The markings are unusual and very interesting and i would think most definitely intentional. No clue as to way though.

Lew, i could be wrong, but i don't think there has been much keris production in Bali post WWII. All those contemporary "Bali" blades we are seeing are coming from Madura or Jawa.

A. G. Maisey · 29th June 2010, 01:26 PM

The tip of the scabbard has not been repaired, this style is common.

The gonjo has been damaged and shortened.

The marks in the top of the gonjo may be bekas kinatah --- places where kinatah work was. Cannot say with certainty from a photo, but it looks like it.

I saw keris being made in Blahbatu near Gianyar , and spoke at length with the maker about 5 or 6 years ago --- forget name and exact date, but it is in my diary. Then there was Mpu Mangku Wije near Klungkung, I saw him working and spoke with him in about 1984. I understand there are still a couple of people forging and carving, and there are others who carve forgings made in Madura.

David · 29th June 2010, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

The marks in the top of the gonjo may be bekas kinatah --- places where kinatah work was. Cannot say with certainty from a photo, but it looks like it.

That makes sense. What do you think about the 3-diamond pattern on the side of the gonjo and the base of the blade. Also a kinatah anchor?

A. G. Maisey · 29th June 2010, 01:51 PM

I do not know of a kinatah pattern that would use this.

I'd need to look at it under magnification to form a supportable opinion, but my impression is that it is the result of gripping with something like vicegrips to hold the gonjo in correct alignment while fitting a new key --- or maybe just aralditing.

Gustav · 29th June 2010, 06:09 PM

It seems, buntut of gonjo is broken where the third hole was situated (or fourth, if there should be one on sirah cecak side).

asomotif · 30th June 2010, 03:41 PM

Thanks all for your input and info.

Gustav, yes there is a fourth Kinatah (see pic 1)

Allan, why are you so often right ?

Closer inspecition indeed looks like grip marks on the blade (see pic 2)

Best regards,
Willem

A. G. Maisey · 30th June 2010, 09:20 PM

I'm not infrequently wrong too, Willem --- even though I've been playing with keris for just about 55 years now.

30th June 2010, 03:41 PM	#6
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,228	Thanks all for your input and info. Gustav, yes there is a fourth Kinatah (see pic 1) Allan, why are you so often right ? Closer inspecition indeed looks like grip marks on the blade (see pic 2) Best regards, Willem Attached Images

29th June 2010, 01:02 PM	#1
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	I also think this is an old Bali blade, probably 19th century, with an old Bali stain. The tip of the scabbard doesn't look like a repair to me. It is very common for there to be a nice piece of patterned wood inlaid into to front of the stem like this. I agree that the gonjo looks a bit short, though i cannot tell from the photos if it has been shortened or just made this way. The markings are unusual and very interesting and i would think most definitely intentional. No clue as to way though. Lew, i could be wrong, but i don't think there has been much keris production in Bali post WWII. All those contemporary "Bali" blades we are seeing are coming from Madura or Jawa.

29th June 2010, 01:26 PM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,992	The tip of the scabbard has not been repaired, this style is common. The gonjo has been damaged and shortened. The marks in the top of the gonjo may be bekas kinatah --- places where kinatah work was. Cannot say with certainty from a photo, but it looks like it. I saw keris being made in Blahbatu near Gianyar , and spoke at length with the maker about 5 or 6 years ago --- forget name and exact date, but it is in my diary. Then there was Mpu Mangku Wije near Klungkung, I saw him working and spoke with him in about 1984. I understand there are still a couple of people forging and carving, and there are others who carve forgings made in Madura.

29th June 2010, 01:51 PM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,992	I do not know of a kinatah pattern that would use this. I'd need to look at it under magnification to form a supportable opinion, but my impression is that it is the result of gripping with something like vicegrips to hold the gonjo in correct alignment while fitting a new key --- or maybe just aralditing.

29th June 2010, 06:09 PM	#5
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,273	It seems, buntut of gonjo is broken where the third hole was situated (or fourth, if there should be one on sirah cecak side).

30th June 2010, 09:20 PM	#7
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,992	I'm not infrequently wrong too, Willem --- even though I've been playing with keris for just about 55 years now.