Seeking pamor information ??

[A. G. Maisey]

Sirek, the really big problem for me is trying to work from photos on a computer monitor.

In virtually all cases, those photos are very much less than good, and even with really excellent photos, what I see, and what everybody who looks at their own computer monitor sees, is altered by the many processes that the image that is put into the camera goes through before it arrives on the screen.

In other words, what I see, and what each of us sees, is at best only an approximation of the actual keris.

However, to distinguish between recent and old, good and poor, genuine and false is something that even a person with much knowledge and experience often has a degree of difficulty with when the object is right there in his hand.

However, there are some indicators, or "tells" that tend to push an experienced person's opinion in one direction or another. Sometimes these tells are very plain, sometimes they are not, so often when the opinion is formed it must be regarded as only an opinion, not something that is known with certainty.

When I give an opinion on a blade like yours please remember it is an opinion only. It is not an infallible pronouncement. If I held the blade, my opinion could change.

However, in the matter of the combination of the various components of this keris, the matter is entirely different. I do not need to see the same amount of detail, nor to examine it in the same way as I do with a blade. A slight difference in the angle of the photograph is not so important, a slight variation in colour or texture doesn't really matter. I can see just about all I need to see in even a poor photo --- and your photos are by no means poor.

How to pass this sort of knowledge on?

I do not know how.

It would be possible to draw up some sort of primer, but it would be about as useful to the average collector as a text book on probability theory would be to a student who had not yet completed primary school.

I simply cannot see any substitute for long experience. I'm sorry.

[sirek]

Mr. Maisey, I respect your comments.

That’s exactly what I understand
As an example, knowledge to recognizing antiques also comes from experience, an antique dealer cannot judge based on an image as something is hand-carved or that the item is modern high pressure pressed.

You need to know how something was made in the past, so you can look for the characteristics of the handicraft. Exactly as you did when you forged your own Keris, such experiences will almost none of us ever experienced.

You must understand that often our only source of information is based on books. And as you indicated, you watch your books yourself rarely because the information often is incorrect.

Everyone who place a commented, experience the same problem give an opinion based on a photograph, but the important thing for me is that there are people from all over the world that share the same hobby and willing to help each other with their own experiences.
Therefore commend based on minimal information, such as only advice/guidance is valuable information is for me (and others I think) also because that person has taken the trouble to give his personal opinion/comment .

I hope I've expressed myself well because my native language is not English

[asomotif]

Hello Sirek,

Where did you obtain this Keris ?
Is the blade a proper fit with the wrangka ?

Best regards,
Willem

[sirek]

The keris was owned by a Dutchman (I knew him not further)
But after he had passed away it came into my possession.

Later I tried to get some information such as:
- how and where the keris had come into his possession
- since when it's in the Netherlands
but unfortunately that information was no longer available


The fit is acceptable, only slightly worn out
(I do not think it’s adjusted to fit)

[A. G. Maisey]

Thank you for your understanding, Sirek.