keris blade for comment.

capt.smash · 13th March 2005, 04:02 PM

"made in Milwaukee" LOL

Rick · 13th March 2005, 06:00 PM

This is probably the antithesis of critical thinking but ,

While I agree that this blade most likely belonged to a higher status person I also have read , on this forum IIRC (take it for what you will) , that such adornments were often awarded by the sultan for an outstanding act of bravery on the part of one of his minions .

Silly romantic stuff probably but it would seem a particularly appropriate reward and possibly even fits Ruel's fashion criteria .

Always remember , you read it on the internet .

Henk · 13th March 2005, 08:13 PM

In the book by Tammens I found something about this.

Applying gold on keris blades started in the 17th century. On the ganja of many kerisses gold figures have been applied. Mostly two animals, the macan (tiger) and the gajah (elephant) symbols for the two empires Mataram and Modjopahit and sometimes the banteng (wild cow) as a symbol of strength.
It is said that the well known Sultan Agung took the initiative in applying these golden ornaments, to honour those kerisses, that played a part in the change from Modjopahit to the empire of Mataram.
The engraving of flowers and claspers on the wilah is decoration done in a positive relief. Applying with gold rises the decoration from the surface.

empu kumis · 13th March 2005, 09:27 PM

Hello Kerislovers,

the animals on top of the ganja are not original but made recently. The blade itself is not a good one because of the low condition. Remember Balinese Blades are polished not etched like the Javanese. Etching of Balinese blades came up maybe in the 70ties because of the lack of caretaking. To get a Balinese keris in good first class condition is almost impossibleSee: Hamzuri 1982-83 Petunjuk Singkat Tentang Keris p. 8.

Animals on Balinese blades (ganja) are sometimes present even of gold and sometimes like the Javanese Singa Barong (not a tiger), Gajah, winged horse and so on. impossible.
See: Hamzuri 1982-83 Petunjuk Singkat Tentang Keris p. 8.

Its said the meaning of this animals is a date and also like a medal of honour for bravery especially under Sultan Agung.

empu kumis

capt.smash · 13th March 2005, 10:25 PM

Thanks Henk for looking that up thats a great help and interesting

Hi Empu Kumis

thanks for your comments this blade is highly polished and you cant feel the pamor if you run your finger over it but does have random pitting and wear from past corrosion im very sure its older than the 1970,s .

Also after more cleaning i have discovred that there is a wafer thin gold shim between the blade and the ganja its only visable in a couple of places and is incredibly thin my camera wont zoom in close enough to catch it properly... strange but interesting

empu kumis · 14th March 2005, 09:01 PM

Hello Capt. Smash,

its not only the corrosion but also the incomplete greneng and the blade is to narrow. It could be reshaped. This has been done many times to rise the prices in Bali and even more in Jawa.

The blade itself is older but reshaped. Up to now there has been almost no research about the age of Balinese kerisses. If somebody telling you the age of a Balinese keris its always pure speculation. Even to tell about where it comes from (Southbali or Northbali) is difficult and in Bali almost everythings is forgotten.

capt.smash · 17th March 2005, 01:10 PM

After some TLC and a visit to doctor arsenic....nice pamor in my opinion

13th March 2005, 10:25 PM	#5
capt.smash Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Devon ,England Posts: 80	Thanks Henk for looking that up thats a great help and interesting Hi Empu Kumis thanks for your comments this blade is highly polished and you cant feel the pamor if you run your finger over it but does have random pitting and wear from past corrosion im very sure its older than the 1970,s . Also after more cleaning i have discovred that there is a wafer thin gold shim between the blade and the ganja its only visable in a couple of places and is incredibly thin my camera wont zoom in close enough to catch it properly... strange but interesting Last edited by capt.smash; 14th March 2005 at 12:06 AM.

14th March 2005, 09:01 PM	#6
empu kumis Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Germany Posts: 17	Hello Capt. Smash, its not only the corrosion but also the incomplete greneng and the blade is to narrow. It could be reshaped. This has been done many times to rise the prices in Bali and even more in Jawa. The blade itself is older but reshaped. Up to now there has been almost no research about the age of Balinese kerisses. If somebody telling you the age of a Balinese keris its always pure speculation. Even to tell about where it comes from (Southbali or Northbali) is difficult and in Bali almost everythings is forgotten. Last edited by empu kumis; 14th March 2005 at 09:12 PM.

17th March 2005, 01:10 PM	#7
capt.smash Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Devon ,England Posts: 80	After some TLC and a visit to doctor arsenic....nice pamor in my opinion Attached Images Last edited by capt.smash; 17th March 2005 at 03:33 PM.

13th March 2005, 04:02 PM	#1
capt.smash Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Devon ,England Posts: 80	"made in Milwaukee" LOL

13th March 2005, 06:00 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	This is probably the antithesis of critical thinking but , While I agree that this blade most likely belonged to a higher status person I also have read , on this forum IIRC (take it for what you will) , that such adornments were often awarded by the sultan for an outstanding act of bravery on the part of one of his minions . Silly romantic stuff probably but it would seem a particularly appropriate reward and possibly even fits Ruel's fashion criteria . Always remember , you read it on the internet .

13th March 2005, 08:13 PM	#3
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	In the book by Tammens I found something about this. Applying gold on keris blades started in the 17th century. On the ganja of many kerisses gold figures have been applied. Mostly two animals, the macan (tiger) and the gajah (elephant) symbols for the two empires Mataram and Modjopahit and sometimes the banteng (wild cow) as a symbol of strength. It is said that the well known Sultan Agung took the initiative in applying these golden ornaments, to honour those kerisses, that played a part in the change from Modjopahit to the empire of Mataram. The engraving of flowers and claspers on the wilah is decoration done in a positive relief. Applying with gold rises the decoration from the surface.

13th March 2005, 09:27 PM	#4
empu kumis Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Germany Posts: 17	Hello Kerislovers, the animals on top of the ganja are not original but made recently. The blade itself is not a good one because of the low condition. Remember Balinese Blades are polished not etched like the Javanese. Etching of Balinese blades came up maybe in the 70ties because of the lack of caretaking. To get a Balinese keris in good first class condition is almost impossibleSee: Hamzuri 1982-83 Petunjuk Singkat Tentang Keris p. 8. Animals on Balinese blades (ganja) are sometimes present even of gold and sometimes like the Javanese Singa Barong (not a tiger), Gajah, winged horse and so on. impossible. See: Hamzuri 1982-83 Petunjuk Singkat Tentang Keris p. 8. Its said the meaning of this animals is a date and also like a medal of honour for bravery especially under Sultan Agung. empu kumis