Meaning in a Balinese keris

A. G. Maisey · 11th August 2021, 04:55 AM

Klungkung in 1908 was the last of the early 20th century puputans.

Gustav has advised that the van Duuren example was donated in 1952, and his opinion is pre-1940.

J&P published in 1930 and Gustav has offered the possibility of pre-1920.

I cannot disagree with Gustav's estimates.

I've never seen that spiral ornamentation on any keris in Bali apart from the one I have already remarked on, I've never seen one anywhere else either, except for pictures in published works. Over the years there have been a few offered online, and those offerings were not old keris.

I'd like to see an example or two that dates with certainty from pre-1900, even better if we could get pre-1800. I'd like to hear some local Balinese opinions on it too, I did try to dig up an opinion or two some years ago, but the keris literate people I spoke with did not recognise the form.

11th August 2021, 04:55 AM	#19
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,048	Klungkung in 1908 was the last of the early 20th century puputans. Gustav has advised that the van Duuren example was donated in 1952, and his opinion is pre-1940. J&P published in 1930 and Gustav has offered the possibility of pre-1920. I cannot disagree with Gustav's estimates. I've never seen that spiral ornamentation on any keris in Bali apart from the one I have already remarked on, I've never seen one anywhere else either, except for pictures in published works. Over the years there have been a few offered online, and those offerings were not old keris. I'd like to see an example or two that dates with certainty from pre-1900, even better if we could get pre-1800. I'd like to hear some local Balinese opinions on it too, I did try to dig up an opinion or two some years ago, but the keris literate people I spoke with did not recognise the form.