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Originally Posted by BSMStar
My greatest hope is that these fine craftsmen are some how recognized and that the art is keep alive. Since Empu has such a special significance and meaning, maybe a new title should be invented for the "new masters" if this art. Then maybe we will see more master pieces produced and sold based on their inherent value rather than damaging them to look old.
A tree can only grow into the future by being firmly attached to its roots.
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The seller of the above mentioned keris is a young Indonesian in Surabaya who realy loves keris and is dedicated to the wellfare of keris culture. He personaly knows alot of the quality keris makers in Jawa and Madura and he also posts on this forum. I personally have never met him but have bought three kerises from his website and I am in personal email contact with him and I believe that he would never knowingly mislead anyone about his wares. As an Indonesian I rarely trust my fellow countrymen in the market but this seller has dedication and knowledge.
He wants to keep the keris knowledge and culture alive and has lately been putting more and more high quality new keris up for sale. One problem: good new keris costs alot to make so you can purchase a mediocre old keris for half the price, and to many people are stil doing that. Actualy I should reiterate a previous post that it is ilegal to take old keris out of the country even though it is possible and easy to break the law without consequence. If more people give good dollar for new quality keris more Mpu will make good keris and when an individual consistently makes good keris he will eventually be recognized as an Mpu by society. We have the power to create Mpus!
Like all artists keris makers need patrons and in this globalized world the market can become the patron. For the sake of keris culture please demand that our friend in Surabaya put more and more good quality new keris up for sale and please be prepared to pay good money as if you were purchasing a contenporary oil painting. Congratulations for whoever has this splendid blade on hold!
Warm salams to all,
Kiai Carita.