Seeking advice

[Anthony G.]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

These days it seems to me that everybody who carries out work for somebody else does so on their own terms. The days when we could even tell a plumber what we wanted done and how are long gone. Try to supervise or place restrictions on anybody, they tell you to stick your money in a place where the sun don't shine.

But specifically related to keris.

All the Javanese craftsmen I know regard any criticism at all of their work as being close to personal insult. They can react in a number of ways, but the end result is usually that if they do anything at all, it will not improve the item, but rather detract from it. What we do here is to either accept or reject the work. If we reject and have already paid a deposit, it is very unlikely we will ever see that deposit again, so we accept the item no matter what. If it is fixable we give it to somebody else to fix, and this could take a number of people and a number of tries. If it is not fixable, we just on-sell it.

We do not ever try to tell the craftsman where his work is defective and how we want it fixed.

But if Anthony is working through an agent, his path might be marginally easier, if his agent is cooperative and wants return orders.

I love Alan's quote and it is funny but is true.

//quote//Try to supervise or place restrictions on anybody, they tell you to stick your money in a place where the sun don't shine.//quote//


This is same for computing/programming projects and that is why 90% of system development projects always failed. .

As for keris, I think for art craving etc, it is too challenging for keris making as it is not machine mould/cast etc but hand made. It depends on the craftsmen seniority and experience and even experts 'fails' sometime.

For this Balinese keris, I gave the drawing to the craftsman thru agent and keep my finger cross. The actual product is far from the drawing but it turns up to be excellent, nonetheless. I accepted it happily.

I can 'feel' this Balinese cultural keris and feel none for the other Madura made keris which is a fine art but 'no feeling'.

[David]

Originally Posted by Anthony G.

I can 'feel' this Balinese cultural keris and feel none for the other Madura made keris which is a fine art but 'no feeling'.

I find this interesting Anthony. I can't say that i have every been able to "feel" a keris based solely upon a photograph of it. An enviable skill.
I would also point out that these days i believe there are many contemporary keris being made in Jawa as well as Madura. I assume by your comments that what you "feel" from this keris has less to do with the geographic area that the keris was forged and more to do with the assurance you received that your keris was created the "old fashion" way involving prayer, fasting and ritual to create a "living" keris.

[Anthony G.]

Originally Posted by David

I find this interesting Anthony. I can't say that i have every been able to "feel" a keris based solely upon a photograph of it. An enviable skill.
I would also point out that these days i believe there are many contemporary keris being made in Jawa as well as Madura. I assume by your comments that what you "feel" from this keris has less to do with the geographic area that the keris was forged and more to do with the assurance you received that your keris was created the "old fashion" way involving prayer, fasting and ritual to create a "living" keris.

Hi David,

To clarify further, yes; I have asked for photo to view the rituals performed on the keris prior making etc. It is done by an old Pande with another craftsman doing the craving of the motif only as apparently the old Pande does not do craving.

[Anthony G.]

for viewing enjoyment. Sunggingan Warangka to goes with the Balinese bilah.