Keris Jawa for Comment
 

Gentlemen,

It has been a while. I have recently acquired this keris and as I have very little experience with keris Jawa, I was wondering if our esteemed forum members could assist me with identifying the dhapur and tangguh of this keris. The hilt is somewhat unusual, made of bone with interesting carvings. I hope someone can shed light on the origins of the ukiran too. The blade came without a warangka, and I'm still considering whether to dress it in a proper Javanese warangka, or some other sheath which I can get my hands on here in Malaysia. Regards

The ukiran would be from Madura (...or around area). Sometimes there is (around the base) a metal ring (a kind of selut).............. Your hilt seems very nice

Better, closer photos would be helpful. I'd say that the blade looks more Javanese than Madurese. Personally i think this would be best dressed in Javanese clothing. :)

More pictures
 

Additional pictures though I must say my photographic skills are quite rudimentary.

oncemore.

Rudimentary perhaps Raja, but these new images are much better for making assessments than just that first over all shot. :)
... and thanks Gustav, for taking the time to give them proper orientation. :)

Nice hilt, like Marco write from Madura or East Java. Blade seems to be from good quality. Do you plan to etch the blade?

Regards,

Detlef

Staining
 

Thanks Gustav, like a compass needle, the blade does look better pointing north. Sajen, I rather like the patina of the blade at the moment, so I will probably go as far as cleaning it with some lime juice and oiling it.

I have not personally handled warangan myself, and I don't quite like the idea of keeping it around the house, as I have a toddler running around these days.

I have seen some attempts at staining by other collectors, though I can say the results can be patchy in inexpert hands, yielding more greyish tinge than true black. I don't think I want to risk it. :)