Balinese Keris for comments

COYOTE · 22nd January 2017, 05:39 PM

Stones with colour stripes are agate without any question, such as the ones on the penultimate picture (5th image).
The other stones, without stripes, might be agate as well or quartz.
Unfortunately, no real "precious" stones such as ruby, just decorative stones.

A. G. Maisey · 22nd January 2017, 07:53 PM

The use of stones, pastes or glass in a Balinese hilt is not merely for decorative purposes. The type and/or colour of the stones carries talismanic intent, and it is this talismanic intent that is more important in the Balinese scale of values than the value of the actual stones.

I have yet to see gem quality stones used in a Balinese hilt, and I have seen and handled some of the best in existence. It is not at all uncommon for a gold hilt with an intrinsic value of tens of thousands of dollars to have a mix of precious stones, semi-precious stones, and glass or pastes.

Where a hilt/uwer/selut has stones/pastes/glass of the talismanically related types or colours we can be relatively certain that it has been made for Balinese use.

Where it does not have stones/pastes/glass that carry a talismanic value we can be relatively certain that the hilt was not intended for Balinese use, or in the case of an older hilt, that the original stones/pastes/glass have been replaced.

Even if every stone in this hilt under discussion was found to be diamond or ruby, the intrinsic value of those stones would be very small, as the stones that are invariably used, even in royal hilts of the highest quality are never of gem quality.

Battara · 23rd January 2017, 01:23 AM

The selut looks to be gilded silver (unless there are lighting issues).

mariusgmioc · 23rd January 2017, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

The selut looks to be gilded silver (unless there are lighting issues).

Just the white glare. The selut is fully golden, even if scratched, so I assume it is either low gold alloy or brass.

Jean · 23rd January 2017, 09:00 AM

Few additional comments for discussion:
As said earlier the figure carved on the gandik is called Kalarau and it seems to have been introduced recently (refer to the book from Neka) but I am not sure. From the pics I can't see if it is integral to the blade or welded separately.
The pamor pattern is not complete but it looks like the Javanese pamor Pandan Iris (sliced pandanus leaves).
The figure depicted on the hilt seems in Chinese style and the base is very short.
Other opinions will be welcome.

mariusgmioc · 23rd January 2017, 08:48 AM

double message deleted

22nd January 2017, 05:39 PM	#1
COYOTE Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Rio de Janeiro - Brazil Posts: 27	Stones with colour stripes are agate without any question, such as the ones on the penultimate picture (5th image). The other stones, without stripes, might be agate as well or quartz. Unfortunately, no real "precious" stones such as ruby, just decorative stones.

22nd January 2017, 07:53 PM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,992	The use of stones, pastes or glass in a Balinese hilt is not merely for decorative purposes. The type and/or colour of the stones carries talismanic intent, and it is this talismanic intent that is more important in the Balinese scale of values than the value of the actual stones. I have yet to see gem quality stones used in a Balinese hilt, and I have seen and handled some of the best in existence. It is not at all uncommon for a gold hilt with an intrinsic value of tens of thousands of dollars to have a mix of precious stones, semi-precious stones, and glass or pastes. Where a hilt/uwer/selut has stones/pastes/glass of the talismanically related types or colours we can be relatively certain that it has been made for Balinese use. Where it does not have stones/pastes/glass that carry a talismanic value we can be relatively certain that the hilt was not intended for Balinese use, or in the case of an older hilt, that the original stones/pastes/glass have been replaced. Even if every stone in this hilt under discussion was found to be diamond or ruby, the intrinsic value of those stones would be very small, as the stones that are invariably used, even in royal hilts of the highest quality are never of gem quality.

23rd January 2017, 01:23 AM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	The selut looks to be gilded silver (unless there are lighting issues).

23rd January 2017, 09:00 AM	#5
Jean Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,740	Few additional comments for discussion: As said earlier the figure carved on the gandik is called Kalarau and it seems to have been introduced recently (refer to the book from Neka) but I am not sure. From the pics I can't see if it is integral to the blade or welded separately. The pamor pattern is not complete but it looks like the Javanese pamor Pandan Iris (sliced pandanus leaves). The figure depicted on the hilt seems in Chinese style and the base is very short. Other opinions will be welcome.

23rd January 2017, 08:48 AM	#6
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,906	double message deleted