Keris for consideration

[kai]

Hello Sid,

Thanks for the background!

A bit of context may help. This keris was not sold by a keris seller. It was one of a bunch of Asian daggers sold at auction. Its merits or flaws were not stated. It was just a keris among other far more illustrous companions. It came from a dead western collector who was primarily s gun collector. I dont think the scabbard has been sanded or finished any differently to other ones I have. At least I cant tell by looking at it closely. There was nothing riding on this keris. I dont think anyone tarted it up to sell. The blade had old surface rust on it which I removed. I oiled the wood parts to freshen up the dull wood. I think its an honest piece with no shenanigans or scurrillous behaviour designed to boost value. Begs the question why anyone would go to such great lengths as surmised to repair what to me is fairly average keris. Cost vs benefit and all that...

I'd guess that the deceased collector acquired these pieces in a similar condition as you received them. Many collectors keep acquiring pieces and the last replacements/refurbishments which we have been pointing out may very well be several decades old.

This is not a bad keris and many collectors have examples with similar repairs/etc. in their collections.

Regards,
Kai

[A. G. Maisey]

Thank you for your further comment Gustav.