Another Keris for sharing/comment

RSWORD · 11th April 2020, 07:23 PM

A few more pictures.

Battara · 12th April 2020, 12:54 AM

Well this looks like a Kocet-Kocetan hilt form from Bali. Is it ivory! I also like the blade pattern.

Jean · 12th April 2020, 09:08 AM

Interesting and beautiful kris indeed. From the pics, I am not fully sure that the hilt is from ivory? (colour and patina). The blade is old and the carved animal on the gandik (singa?) is odd. The warangka is in rare sampiran/ jamprahan/ bancihan style. It seems that the selut was replaced as the base of the hilt was apparently cut?
Regards

RSWORD · 13th April 2020, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jean

Interesting and beautiful kris indeed. From the pics, I am not fully sure that the hilt is from ivory? (colour and patina). The blade is old and the carved animal on the gandik (singa?) is odd. The warangka is in rare sampiran/ jamprahan/ bancihan style. It seems that the selut was replaced as the base of the hilt was apparently cut?
Regards

Thank you for commenting Jean. Very helpful information. I'm not sure what the material of the handle is and agree the coloration is not typical. I have seen some marine ivories that get this orangish tint.

It doesn't look like the base of the handle has been cut. It looks fully formed in hand with no evidence of being cut.

What is odd about the carved animal? Just the form/type?

A. G. Maisey · 13th April 2020, 11:41 PM

I'd like to believe that the hilt is from a whale's tooth, superbly carved and with a touch of artificial patination. The overall shape is about right for a hilt from a large tooth, the material and surface finish looks right for whales tooth. I have several with similar characteristics that are definitely from whales teeth.

But what has been done in Bali with synthetics over the last 40-50 years causes me to a bit uncertain of what I'm looking at. I think this hilt might need a hot needle test, maybe inside the tang hole.

But apart from that, a nice old keris, if the hilt is not synthetic, a very nice old keris.

Rick · 14th April 2020, 01:07 AM

It almost looks like some form of Bakelite; I share Alan's suspicions.
If it is a casting, then it's one hell of a nice job and I would still treasure it were it mine.

I wonder if the pin holes on the Singa are decorative, or are they there to hold a gold covering?

Jean · 14th April 2020, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

I wonder if the pin holes on the Singa are decorative, or are they there to hold a gold covering?

I am not really qualified for replying but the "pin holes" are not evenly spaced and they rather look to be caused by a sharp tool used to force the carved figure in place on the blade before welding it?

Jean · 14th April 2020, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSWORD

It doesn't look like the base of the handle has been cut. It looks fully formed in hand with no evidence of being cut.

What is odd about the carved animal? Just the form/type?

Normally the integrated selut is flush with the base of the hilt, see attached specimen. Also the selut looks to have a slightly different colour and patina as compared to the hilt itself.
The carved animal on the gandik looks odd because it has the body of a singa and the head of a naga or kalarau. It seems welded on the blade and not integral to it.
Regards

RSWORD · 13th April 2020, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

Well this looks like a Kocet-Kocetan hilt form from Bali. Is it ivory! I also like the blade pattern.

Hi Jose,

Thanks for commenting. Not sure what the handle material is made from.

11th April 2020, 07:23 PM	#1
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,087	A few more pictures. Attached Images

12th April 2020, 09:08 AM	#3
Jean Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,740	Interesting and beautiful kris indeed. From the pics, I am not fully sure that the hilt is from ivory? (colour and patina). The blade is old and the carved animal on the gandik (singa?) is odd. The warangka is in rare sampiran/ jamprahan/ bancihan style. It seems that the selut was replaced as the base of the hilt was apparently cut? Regards Last edited by Jean; 12th April 2020 at 01:27 PM.

14th April 2020, 01:07 AM	#6
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	Kocet Kocetan It almost looks like some form of Bakelite; I share Alan's suspicions. If it is a casting, then it's one hell of a nice job and I would still treasure it were it mine. I wonder if the pin holes on the Singa are decorative, or are they there to hold a gold covering?

12th April 2020, 12:54 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	Well this looks like a Kocet-Kocetan hilt form from Bali. Is it ivory! I also like the blade pattern.

13th April 2020, 11:41 PM	#5
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,019	I'd like to believe that the hilt is from a whale's tooth, superbly carved and with a touch of artificial patination. The overall shape is about right for a hilt from a large tooth, the material and surface finish looks right for whales tooth. I have several with similar characteristics that are definitely from whales teeth. But what has been done in Bali with synthetics over the last 40-50 years causes me to a bit uncertain of what I'm looking at. I think this hilt might need a hot needle test, maybe inside the tang hole. But apart from that, a nice old keris, if the hilt is not synthetic, a very nice old keris.