Some Help with a Balinese Keris

BSMStar · 3rd February 2005, 06:29 PM

Thank you all for your kind remarks.

Thank you LabanTayo, you are bound and determined to make me a Moro collector... alais, I seem to have misplaced my money tree.

But who knows what the future may hold.

This keris does not have the usual "elephant trunk", does anyone know what this shape is called/means??

The stones are real; one of the sapphires on the back is a "star" sapphire. Usually this type of hilt is mentioned to be gold, so why the investment in silver?

The blade is actually clean, its just showing some oil residue (in the light). The blade appears to be a three metal pamor, the black iron, the nickel and a golden (oxide like) looking metal. I might try to get some better pictures of the pamor.

Thank you all for your help and insight!

Henk · 3rd February 2005, 07:45 PM

This is a beauty indeed.

Don't brush the surface with a toothbrush!!!!! If you clean it the etching might disapear. So don't!! As you said it is residu from oiling and that will disapear in time and oiling the blade prevents it from rusting.

When you make more pictures, make another one of the base of the blade so that we can clearly see the shape of the kembang kacang. Would like to see more of the scabbard too and an overall view of the keris.

And why silver? I think Mick gave the answer. And mostly these keris with ivory and gold were only for the royal families.

Mick · 3rd February 2005, 08:17 PM

BMStar

The sequence of dress (in regard to metals) goes gold, gold capping, gold plating (originally fire gilding), silver, and copper/brass. Many of the “golden hilts” are actually gilded silver and or gilded copper/brass. This is nothing to be ashamed of as good workmanship is really achieved in all of the metals. Your piece shows good quality workmanship. It is not of the highest quality, but it is damned good. I have seen pure gold pieces which have nowhere near the quality of workmanship as yours. (Seems strange doesn’t it.) People in Bali are still turning out exceptionally fine work as well as some mediocre and the junk brass pieces that are sometimes passed of on eBay as “Golden”.

As far as the other color besides black and white on the blade, I believe that we have resolved (here on the forum) that this is caused by impurities in the wranga used in the etching process.

Henk

Perhaps I didn't make myself clear. I recommended the use of kerosene wiped into crevaces of the blade with a soft (not hard) toothbrush ro get all pieces of dirt off of the blade in order to start protecting the blade with a clean finish. Obviously no toothpaste is to used in this process. Indeed it would polish the patina off of the blade.

BSMStar · 3rd February 2005, 11:22 PM

Thank you Mick and Henk for you wisdom and input!!!!!!!!!!

I apologize for the poor quality pictures (not enough lighting). I will break out my lights and take better pictures... (busy schedule, but hopefully by this weekend).

I know in Bali, that black and white show the "struggle" or "balance" between good and evil. I have not seen many black sheaths before.

Maybe there is a balance with the silver around the black wood?

My question about the silver Bayu (secretly) is my wondering about the status of the original owner, with the rubies and sapphires (and agates around Bayu's base), it probably didn't belong to your average "Joe".... with the black and silver, what the spiritual background or meaning may be.

Thanks again for your insight, I am on a learning curve with Balinese Keris'.

Mick · 4th February 2005, 03:52 AM

BSMStar

(I finally got your handle right)

Regarding the sequence of quality of material for sheaths, I think ivory and exceptionally fine pelet wound be a tie for top. Ebony (a rather new material) would probably be next followed by regular pellet . The final grade might consist of everything else.

You are right that there are not a lot of ebony sheaths around. I believe that the wood for this would have to have been imported. I have at least one and maybe two. (My stuff is not easily accessible.)

Your original owner was not a regular "Joe". He put near the top materials on this piece (I assume to the best of his ability) and the grip might even have been once gilded. It doesn’t look like it from the picture, but you might find some traces in the deep portions of the figure.

Sang Keris · 4th February 2005, 02:46 PM

i think u can make a good warangan can make it perfect.....need more contrast...

but overall.. its great..

congrat

BSMStar · 5th February 2005, 04:17 PM

I am sorry about the quality... but here are some more pictures..., let me know if you need more.

3rd February 2005, 08:17 PM	#3
Mick Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Orlando Posts: 104	BMStar The sequence of dress (in regard to metals) goes gold, gold capping, gold plating (originally fire gilding), silver, and copper/brass. Many of the “golden hilts” are actually gilded silver and or gilded copper/brass. This is nothing to be ashamed of as good workmanship is really achieved in all of the metals. Your piece shows good quality workmanship. It is not of the highest quality, but it is damned good. I have seen pure gold pieces which have nowhere near the quality of workmanship as yours. (Seems strange doesn’t it.) People in Bali are still turning out exceptionally fine work as well as some mediocre and the junk brass pieces that are sometimes passed of on eBay as “Golden”. As far as the other color besides black and white on the blade, I believe that we have resolved (here on the forum) that this is caused by impurities in the wranga used in the etching process. Henk Perhaps I didn't make myself clear. I recommended the use of kerosene wiped into crevaces of the blade with a soft (not hard) toothbrush ro get all pieces of dirt off of the blade in order to start protecting the blade with a clean finish. Obviously no toothpaste is to used in this process. Indeed it would polish the patina off of the blade. Last edited by Mick; 3rd February 2005 at 09:40 PM.

4th February 2005, 03:52 AM	#5
Mick Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Orlando Posts: 104	BSMStar (I finally got your handle right) Regarding the sequence of quality of material for sheaths, I think ivory and exceptionally fine pelet wound be a tie for top. Ebony (a rather new material) would probably be next followed by regular pellet . The final grade might consist of everything else. You are right that there are not a lot of ebony sheaths around. I believe that the wood for this would have to have been imported. I have at least one and maybe two. (My stuff is not easily accessible.) Your original owner was not a regular "Joe". He put near the top materials on this piece (I assume to the best of his ability) and the grip might even have been once gilded. It doesn’t look like it from the picture, but you might find some traces in the deep portions of the figure. Last edited by Mick; 4th February 2005 at 05:22 AM.

5th February 2005, 04:17 PM	#7
BSMStar Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kansas City, MO USA Posts: 312	More Pictures I am sorry about the quality... but here are some more pictures..., let me know if you need more. Attached Images

3rd February 2005, 06:29 PM	#1
BSMStar Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kansas City, MO USA Posts: 312	Thank you all for your kind remarks. Thank you LabanTayo, you are bound and determined to make me a Moro collector... alais, I seem to have misplaced my money tree. But who knows what the future may hold. This keris does not have the usual "elephant trunk", does anyone know what this shape is called/means?? The stones are real; one of the sapphires on the back is a "star" sapphire. Usually this type of hilt is mentioned to be gold, so why the investment in silver? The blade is actually clean, its just showing some oil residue (in the light). The blade appears to be a three metal pamor, the black iron, the nickel and a golden (oxide like) looking metal. I might try to get some better pictures of the pamor. Thank you all for your help and insight!

3rd February 2005, 07:45 PM	#2
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	This is a beauty indeed. Don't brush the surface with a toothbrush!!!!! If you clean it the etching might disapear. So don't!! As you said it is residu from oiling and that will disapear in time and oiling the blade prevents it from rusting. When you make more pictures, make another one of the base of the blade so that we can clearly see the shape of the kembang kacang. Would like to see more of the scabbard too and an overall view of the keris. And why silver? I think Mick gave the answer. And mostly these keris with ivory and gold were only for the royal families.

3rd February 2005, 11:22 PM	#4
BSMStar Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kansas City, MO USA Posts: 312	Thank you Mick and Henk for you wisdom and input!!!!!!!!!! I apologize for the poor quality pictures (not enough lighting). I will break out my lights and take better pictures... (busy schedule, but hopefully by this weekend). I know in Bali, that black and white show the "struggle" or "balance" between good and evil. I have not seen many black sheaths before. Maybe there is a balance with the silver around the black wood? My question about the silver Bayu (secretly) is my wondering about the status of the original owner, with the rubies and sapphires (and agates around Bayu's base), it probably didn't belong to your average "Joe".... with the black and silver, what the spiritual background or meaning may be. Thanks again for your insight, I am on a learning curve with Balinese Keris'.

4th February 2005, 02:46 PM	#6
Sang Keris Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Indonesia Posts: 46	i think u can make a good warangan can make it perfect.....need more contrast... but overall.. its great.. congrat