Balinese Keris For Comment

John · 6th August 2005, 05:51 AM

Beautiful piece Rick. Also have been told the Kocet kocetan was only allowed (?) for the priests in Bali (brahmin caste) once upon a time athough it has been unclear to me why or how so. If anyone know?

nechesh · 6th August 2005, 01:33 PM

Nice hilt Rick. Is that horn with the ivory or ebony? I wouldn't mind seeing some close-ups of your blade.
Mans, the pamor on your example is very intricate and interesting, but there isn't much chance of mistaking it for Balinese work. Both the dapur and the pamor don't seem right for a Balinese piece. Only the dress appears Balinese and even there they used the wrong mendak.
As i'm sure you know Rick, i don't really have a problem with Madurese perfecting Balinese type blades as long as they are not passed off as the real deal. The problem, of course, is that once they leave the smith there is little control as to how they will be presented to the collecting public. But clearly it is these Madurese smith and i believe a few in Jawa who are keeping the art alive. Sadly, it is doubtful that the very few empus that are left will be able to keep that level of keris making alive for very much longer.

I don't think this necessarily means an end to high quality keris making, but it may mean an end to the keris as a true cultural and spiritual object.

Rick · 6th August 2005, 02:35 PM

Hi Lew,
I'd rather not say where the hilt was purchased .

We can discuss it via PM though .

John , here's a little information I gleaned from Google about Kocet kocetan .
http://www.nikhef.nl/~tonvr/keris/ke...ris_gal02.html

Nechesh , it's ebony .
I do agree with you about the loss of the x factor in the new pieces .

On the other hand couldn't a 'talent' (practioner of majik) imbue the new keris with an x factor himself ?
I'll try to get another picture in this post of the pamor ; it is chatoyant .

Finally , yes the auction pictures were barely adequate .

Pamor close up added :

nechesh · 10th August 2005, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

I do agree with you about the loss of the x factor in the new pieces .

On the other hand couldn't a 'talent' (practioner of majik) imbue the new keris with an x factor himself ?
I'll try to get another picture in this post of the pamor ; it is chatoyant .
:

In a word Rick, ABSOLUTELY! But if i told you how i would have to kill you.

Rick · 10th August 2005, 01:42 AM

Mick · 10th August 2005, 04:38 PM

Gentlemen

Here is what a good one looks like.

BSMStar · 10th August 2005, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mick

Gentlemen

Here is what a good one looks like.

Hey Mick.......

Just in case you hear any noises.... that was me having a heart attack!!!
A gorgeous hilt!!!!!!!!!!

6th August 2005, 02:35 PM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	Hi Lew, I'd rather not say where the hilt was purchased . We can discuss it via PM though . John , here's a little information I gleaned from Google about Kocet kocetan . http://www.nikhef.nl/~tonvr/keris/ke...ris_gal02.html Nechesh , it's ebony . I do agree with you about the loss of the x factor in the new pieces . On the other hand couldn't a 'talent' (practioner of majik) imbue the new keris with an x factor himself ? I'll try to get another picture in this post of the pamor ; it is chatoyant . Finally , yes the auction pictures were barely adequate . Pamor close up added : Attached Images Last edited by Rick; 7th August 2005 at 02:57 AM.

10th August 2005, 04:38 PM	#6
Mick Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Orlando Posts: 104	Gentlemen Here is what a good one looks like. Attached Images

6th August 2005, 05:51 AM	#1
John Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Land below the wind Posts: 135	Beautiful piece Rick. Also have been told the Kocet kocetan was only allowed (?) for the priests in Bali (brahmin caste) once upon a time athough it has been unclear to me why or how so. If anyone know?

6th August 2005, 01:33 PM	#2
nechesh Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 940	Nice hilt Rick. Is that horn with the ivory or ebony? I wouldn't mind seeing some close-ups of your blade. Mans, the pamor on your example is very intricate and interesting, but there isn't much chance of mistaking it for Balinese work. Both the dapur and the pamor don't seem right for a Balinese piece. Only the dress appears Balinese and even there they used the wrong mendak. As i'm sure you know Rick, i don't really have a problem with Madurese perfecting Balinese type blades as long as they are not passed off as the real deal. The problem, of course, is that once they leave the smith there is little control as to how they will be presented to the collecting public. But clearly it is these Madurese smith and i believe a few in Jawa who are keeping the art alive. Sadly, it is doubtful that the very few empus that are left will be able to keep that level of keris making alive for very much longer. I don't think this necessarily means an end to high quality keris making, but it may mean an end to the keris as a true cultural and spiritual object.

10th August 2005, 01:42 AM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339