Naga keris - original?

A. G. Maisey · 26th June 2009, 01:50 AM

Kai, 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.

I know of no unique keris manufacturing being carried out in Sunda. There is considerable blade manufacturing done in the Bandung area, but to my knowledge not keris. Jakarta work is a part of the two major schools.

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, and in any case, 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. 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.

It is most definitely not correct to brand every keris of less than good quality as a "keris-like-object".

Keris have been made in Jawa for no other purpose than as items of dress since at least the beginning of the 19th century. Are these keris like objects? Of course not, and no sane person would say they were.

Keris being made now are made as either works of art, collectables, or as items of dress. Are these keris like objects?

I noticed another thread just posted within the last hour or so. There you can see a KLO.

The keris that is under discussion here is in no way, shape or form a KLO.

It is a low quality keris that was probably produced for the local market as an item of dress.

Most keris production of the current era has been for local consumption. People still need a keris to complete formal dress, and low quality keris are produced for this reason.

The volume of sales to tourists and outside the local market is minimal.

This whole idea of "the tourist market" is so far from reality as to be absurd. The things that get sold to tourists in the major tourist areas of Jawa and Bali are for the most part genuine keris dressed to accomodate a bule's taste and pocket.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.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Threaded Mode

26th June 2009, 01:50 AM	#11
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,992	Kai, 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. I know of no unique keris manufacturing being carried out in Sunda. There is considerable blade manufacturing done in the Bandung area, but to my knowledge not keris. Jakarta work is a part of the two major schools. 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, and in any case, 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. 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. It is most definitely not correct to brand every keris of less than good quality as a "keris-like-object". Keris have been made in Jawa for no other purpose than as items of dress since at least the beginning of the 19th century. Are these keris like objects? Of course not, and no sane person would say they were. Keris being made now are made as either works of art, collectables, or as items of dress. Are these keris like objects? I noticed another thread just posted within the last hour or so. There you can see a KLO. The keris that is under discussion here is in no way, shape or form a KLO. It is a low quality keris that was probably produced for the local market as an item of dress. Most keris production of the current era has been for local consumption. People still need a keris to complete formal dress, and low quality keris are produced for this reason. The volume of sales to tourists and outside the local market is minimal. This whole idea of "the tourist market" is so far from reality as to be absurd. The things that get sold to tourists in the major tourist areas of Jawa and Bali are for the most part genuine keris dressed to accomodate a bule's taste and pocket.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.