Tell tale signs of fake?

A. G. Maisey · 1st November 2010, 03:55 AM

Beginning in about 1978 I have dealt internationally in Indonesian , South East Asian, and other edged weapons.

At least once a week I get a query from somebody, somewhere in the world to give an opinion as to whether something listed in either Ebay, another auction site, or the site of another dealer , is what it is claimed to be, and whether it is old or recent.

Sometimes I am able to give a positive answer that identifies it as old, or new , or altered, or whatever, but even when I give that positive answer it is qualified by something like:- "based upon what I can see in the pictures".

Mostly I cannot provide an answer that I am prepared to stand behind. In other words, most times I simply do not know what I am looking at.

I have been involved with keris for more than 55 years; I have bought keris and other weapons in Indonesia for more than 44 years; I have extensive experience in restoration of keris and other weapons, and in the making of edged weapons including keris.

In spite of this experience I do not buy on the basis of photographs from people I do not know.

Why?

Because I cannot tell with any certainty what I am being asked to part with money for.

I regard the risk of getting other than what I want to be too high.

eques · 7th November 2010, 05:03 AM

Thanks for the comment. I guess at this point it would be best to get one from a reputable ebay seller. As for the bolo I was interested, I realized that most people cast their bids at the very last minute and got way higher than my asking price. lol.

1st November 2010, 03:55 AM	#1
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,992	Beginning in about 1978 I have dealt internationally in Indonesian , South East Asian, and other edged weapons. At least once a week I get a query from somebody, somewhere in the world to give an opinion as to whether something listed in either Ebay, another auction site, or the site of another dealer , is what it is claimed to be, and whether it is old or recent. Sometimes I am able to give a positive answer that identifies it as old, or new , or altered, or whatever, but even when I give that positive answer it is qualified by something like:- "based upon what I can see in the pictures". Mostly I cannot provide an answer that I am prepared to stand behind. In other words, most times I simply do not know what I am looking at. I have been involved with keris for more than 55 years; I have bought keris and other weapons in Indonesia for more than 44 years; I have extensive experience in restoration of keris and other weapons, and in the making of edged weapons including keris. In spite of this experience I do not buy on the basis of photographs from people I do not know. Why? Because I cannot tell with any certainty what I am being asked to part with money for. I regard the risk of getting other than what I want to be too high.

7th November 2010, 05:03 AM	#2
eques Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 6	Thanks for the comment. I guess at this point it would be best to get one from a reputable ebay seller. As for the bolo I was interested, I realized that most people cast their bids at the very last minute and got way higher than my asking price. lol.