Hello Alan,
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I have not yet seen this type of pamor in a recent keris that originated in Central Jawa, when I see this type of pamor my first thought is always East Jawa/Madura, and prior to about 1980.
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How about earlier pieces from central Jawa? (Not in reference to the keris under discussion - just for curiosity and learning
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I believe a close investigation of the other areas you mention might reveal that insofar as blades are concerned you are looking at distribution centers for East Jawa production
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I've seen those recent trade blades, too. In addition, there seem to be "local traditions." I'll add pics when I come across such pieces.
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this is a fairly new phenomenon, I believe. Going back ten or fifteen years I did not see anything much except older pieces coming out of those areas in Sumatra.
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I'm not sure about the exact timeframe but this does seem to be a revival/added income thing following the Jawa/Madura story, indeed.
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Regarding Peninsula production, I have no personal knowledge, but I have had blades referred to me by people in Malaysia who told me that they were the product of Malaysian makers, however, as far as I am concerned, those blades originated in Sumenep.
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There is ongoing keris production in Malaysia for a limited local medium/high-end market, especially in the northern states AFAIK. There also seems to be local production in very low-end pieces (mainly for wedding ceremonies).
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It is most definitely not correct to brand every keris of less than good quality as a "keris-like-object".
I noticed another thread just posted within the last hour or so. There you can see a KLO.
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Yes, point taken. I agree that the nominer KLO should be confined to the latter piece (that one is an undisputable example) - I was kinda mixing both threads.
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The volume of sales to tourists and outside the local market is minimal.
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In the overall picture this may be correct. However, there seem to be typical tourist destinations which are flooded with products specifically aimed at the respective buyers like the Lake Toba area (or Kuching with mandau-like objects, etc.).
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Occasionally you will find a horror with batik pamor on a flat iron blade, but I haven't noticed any of this garbage in maybe 20 years.
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You've been looking in the wrong places - these are still very much around pouring out of Bali in the usual gaudy fittings!
Regards,
Kai