Does cleaning a keris hurt overall value or patina?

A. G. Maisey · 18th January 2011, 01:52 AM

David, when I mentioned market segments, I was thinking in terms of all those people who do buy keris, not necessarily keris collectors.

With keris collectors, and simply weapons collectors who buy the occasional keris, there is mostly an acceptance that some maintenance work on things is not only acceptable, but necessary. Some of these people may prefer complete restorations, others may want graduations of that, still others will only touch a piece if it has been removed from place of origin a long time ago and recently discovered in the bottom of granddad's sea chest.

However, when we consider the preferences of tribal art collectors, most especially the really hard core of this segment, the demand for absolutely no interference with "as found" condition can go to extreme lengths.

David · 18th January 2011, 02:29 AM

Understood and agreed Alan. However, i could be wrong, but i don't think Dave has made his enquiry here because he is planning on selling his new inheritance. I think he just doesn't want to do the "wrong" thing. Of course "right" and "wrong" here is rather subjective. These various markets must be quite a confusion to him. In the end i think it comes back to something you said earlier, "forget the market value and simply do what makes you feel good".

A. G. Maisey · 18th January 2011, 02:53 AM

Yeah, you're probably right David, however, when a question is phrased in terms of "value", it can generate answers other than those sought.

Again yes, I do really believe that we should all treat our collections in the way that best suits us. Sure, there is some sort of responsibility towards following generations, and when we develop a cultural conscience it does become obvious that we need to preserve the past, but on the other hand,each of us needs to live with what have.

I think my encouragement to act according to our own desires stops a bit short of grabbing the can of gold spray paint --- and as for Araldite, well, I reckon it should only be sold on licence.

18th January 2011, 01:52 AM	#1
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,991	David, when I mentioned market segments, I was thinking in terms of all those people who do buy keris, not necessarily keris collectors. With keris collectors, and simply weapons collectors who buy the occasional keris, there is mostly an acceptance that some maintenance work on things is not only acceptable, but necessary. Some of these people may prefer complete restorations, others may want graduations of that, still others will only touch a piece if it has been removed from place of origin a long time ago and recently discovered in the bottom of granddad's sea chest. However, when we consider the preferences of tribal art collectors, most especially the really hard core of this segment, the demand for absolutely no interference with "as found" condition can go to extreme lengths.

18th January 2011, 02:29 AM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	Understood and agreed Alan. However, i could be wrong, but i don't think Dave has made his enquiry here because he is planning on selling his new inheritance. I think he just doesn't want to do the "wrong" thing. Of course "right" and "wrong" here is rather subjective. These various markets must be quite a confusion to him. In the end i think it comes back to something you said earlier, "forget the market value and simply do what makes you feel good".

18th January 2011, 02:53 AM	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,991	Yeah, you're probably right David, however, when a question is phrased in terms of "value", it can generate answers other than those sought. Again yes, I do really believe that we should all treat our collections in the way that best suits us. Sure, there is some sort of responsibility towards following generations, and when we develop a cultural conscience it does become obvious that we need to preserve the past, but on the other hand,each of us needs to live with what have. I think my encouragement to act according to our own desires stops a bit short of grabbing the can of gold spray paint --- and as for Araldite, well, I reckon it should only be sold on licence.