Blade for identification

kai · 27th March 2023, 05:58 PM

Thanks for the additional pics, David!

Ok, let's stick with the keris here only:
As mentioned, I feel all 3 examples coming from a similar environment, possibly made by village bladesmiths. It is interesting to note the strong differences in the laminations (pamor). The separate gonjo of the one on the right does seem to be made from very different stock than the blade, indeed. Unless there are any clear signs of later replacement, it still might be original; at least I'm having a hard time why anyone would fiddle around with such a blade, especially since it apparently left Indonesia only a few decades after its manufacture. (This type of pamor is not what we see on well-preserved early keris, even if repolished.)

I still like the keris second from right; it's an old blade in reasonable condition that should restore well. I'd posit it originally came from Madura as a trade blade.

Regards,
Kai

27th March 2023, 05:58 PM	#10
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,223	Thanks for the additional pics, David! Ok, let's stick with the keris here only: As mentioned, I feel all 3 examples coming from a similar environment, possibly made by village bladesmiths. It is interesting to note the strong differences in the laminations (pamor). The separate gonjo of the one on the right does seem to be made from very different stock than the blade, indeed. Unless there are any clear signs of later replacement, it still might be original; at least I'm having a hard time why anyone would fiddle around with such a blade, especially since it apparently left Indonesia only a few decades after its manufacture. (This type of pamor is not what we see on well-preserved early keris, even if repolished.) I still like the keris second from right; it's an old blade in reasonable condition that should restore well. I'd posit it originally came from Madura as a trade blade. Regards, Kai