SOLO KRATON KERIS AUCTIONED / GIFT FROM JAVANESE ROYALS TO DUTCH BANKER

[asomotif]

Dear Alan,

Thank you for the interesting information about royalty in central Jawa.

Indeed reading back the entire thread most questions are answered.
Don't get me wrong, I appreciate every reaction, but basically David and your good self are the main participants.

I am looking to keris from a very western point of view and the esoteric aspect is something I respect, but it does not play any role for me.

So if I check the Unique Selling Points of this particular keris as stated in the listing I have the following resume :

- KRATON keris :
not likely
- KRATON gift :
could be, as some kraton gifts can be of low quality and many can claim royalty
- GOOD FORGING proven by balance of the keris :
No relation between balance and good forging. it is more about center of gravity. (PS, I tried to balance my Zwilling kitchenknife. it was very difficult, altough it really does the job in the kitchen)
- GOOD FIT of the keris in Scabbard :
No, not really a good fit. Might be due to the replaced gonjo.
- ROYAL FAMILY CREST on pendok :
A not recognisable crest and a very common decoration.
- RED CLOTH insertion in the pendok claiming kraton use :
Not true, kraton use would mean red paint. cloth can be inserted at any time.
- SELUT :
1970's selut, a bit strange on a keris claimed to be mid 19th cent.
- UNIQUE MENDAK with the name of the banker :
No firm answer on this one, but personally I think this was part of some office utensil. maybe a stamp combined with upper and lower part of a mendak.

Somebody bought a poor keris with a rich story.

Best regards,
Willem