A Request for Advice

GIO · 18th January 2012, 12:16 AM

As to the Leiden museum, I have been there twice, in 1985 (no keris exhibited because of a re-arrangement of the collections), and in 2001.
The second time the museum was wonderfully restored, but unfortunately only few keris were barely visible (the full keris collection is composed of hundreds of pieces). Conclusion: better to refer to the various books showing much more specimens, often with very good photos.

The Tropenmuseum, in Amsterdam, which also has a big keris collection has only five or six pieces exhibited.... A deception.

A. G. Maisey · 18th January 2012, 01:33 AM

Yes, that seems to be general with most museums.

I do know a retired curator of the Tropen Museum quite well, so I'm hoping I might get a foot in the door there.

GIO · 19th January 2012, 11:28 AM

Hi Alan,
If you wish to take photographs or have access to the hidden kris collection in the Oriental Museum in Venice (Ca' Pesaro), you can ask to the director, Mrs Fiorella Spadavecchia (she once said she would have granted me the permission to take pics on demand)
Her office is far from the museum, in S. Marco square, on the right side facing the church, but I don't remember the number. You can ask the right address to the reception or to the caretakers of the museum.

Marcokeris · 19th January 2012, 02:18 PM

In Florence there is a nice collection (Modigliani collection) in the "The National Museum of Antropology and Ethnology". But there are not keris , only tribal art and weapons about Batak, Nias, Engano and Mentawai.

A. G. Maisey · 19th January 2012, 08:35 PM

Thank you Gio.

I know about the Oriental Museum, but I have not yet firmed up on the dates I will be in Venice. As soon as I do, I will get in touch with Mrs. Spadavecchia.

Thank you for your suggestion.

Thank you Marco.

In fact, at the Museo Bargallo in Florence there are three exceptionally important keris. All entered Europe prior to 1650, I think all were Medici possessions. I will be staying close to Florence, and I have already arranged a meeting with the Vice Director of Museo Bargallo.

Unlike some museums I have dealt with, the people from this museum got back to me immediately, and my request to view was granted without hesitation and in fact quite warmly. It is a true pleasure to find a museum that relates to the public as if they were people, not numbers through the door.

I will also follow up on your suggestion, and I thank you for it.

Jean · 20th January 2012, 05:09 PM

Hello Alan,
No interesting kris museum in France to my best knowledge but there are several in Switzerland, especially the Museum Rietberg in Zurich and the Bernisches Historiches Museum in Berne.
And of course I would expect you to visit the British Museum and Victoria & Albert Museum in London if you can.
In all cases you should contact the curators for getting a private visit of the best pieces in stock, as those displayed are often quite limited.
Best wishes and regards
Jean

A. G. Maisey · 20th January 2012, 08:06 PM

Thanks for that Jean.

I very much doubt that I will be able to make it to UK, but Switzerland might be a possibility.

However, I'm not just interested in looking at "keris", my interest is early, documented keris.

I've seen and handled a very great number of very fine keris during my life, and although this is something I enjoy, it does really does not do all that much for me any more. What I need is the knowledge that I can gain from close examination of very early pieces that are still in very good condition. This would be like having a time machine, and I'm sure I can learn much from such pieces.

18th January 2012, 12:16 AM	#1
GIO Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 329	As to the Leiden museum, I have been there twice, in 1985 (no keris exhibited because of a re-arrangement of the collections), and in 2001. The second time the museum was wonderfully restored, but unfortunately only few keris were barely visible (the full keris collection is composed of hundreds of pieces). Conclusion: better to refer to the various books showing much more specimens, often with very good photos. The Tropenmuseum, in Amsterdam, which also has a big keris collection has only five or six pieces exhibited.... A deception.

18th January 2012, 01:33 AM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,043	Yes, that seems to be general with most museums. I do know a retired curator of the Tropen Museum quite well, so I'm hoping I might get a foot in the door there.

19th January 2012, 11:28 AM	#3
GIO Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 329	Hi Alan, If you wish to take photographs or have access to the hidden kris collection in the Oriental Museum in Venice (Ca' Pesaro), you can ask to the director, Mrs Fiorella Spadavecchia (she once said she would have granted me the permission to take pics on demand) Her office is far from the museum, in S. Marco square, on the right side facing the church, but I don't remember the number. You can ask the right address to the reception or to the caretakers of the museum.

19th January 2012, 02:18 PM	#4
Marcokeris Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Italy Posts: 928	In Florence there is a nice collection (Modigliani collection) in the "The National Museum of Antropology and Ethnology". But there are not keris , only tribal art and weapons about Batak, Nias, Engano and Mentawai.

19th January 2012, 08:35 PM	#5
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,043	Thank you Gio. I know about the Oriental Museum, but I have not yet firmed up on the dates I will be in Venice. As soon as I do, I will get in touch with Mrs. Spadavecchia. Thank you for your suggestion. Thank you Marco. In fact, at the Museo Bargallo in Florence there are three exceptionally important keris. All entered Europe prior to 1650, I think all were Medici possessions. I will be staying close to Florence, and I have already arranged a meeting with the Vice Director of Museo Bargallo. Unlike some museums I have dealt with, the people from this museum got back to me immediately, and my request to view was granted without hesitation and in fact quite warmly. It is a true pleasure to find a museum that relates to the public as if they were people, not numbers through the door. I will also follow up on your suggestion, and I thank you for it.

20th January 2012, 05:09 PM	#6
Jean Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,740	Hello Alan, No interesting kris museum in France to my best knowledge but there are several in Switzerland, especially the Museum Rietberg in Zurich and the Bernisches Historiches Museum in Berne. And of course I would expect you to visit the British Museum and Victoria & Albert Museum in London if you can. In all cases you should contact the curators for getting a private visit of the best pieces in stock, as those displayed are often quite limited. Best wishes and regards Jean

20th January 2012, 08:06 PM	#7
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,043	Thanks for that Jean. I very much doubt that I will be able to make it to UK, but Switzerland might be a possibility. However, I'm not just interested in looking at "keris", my interest is early, documented keris. I've seen and handled a very great number of very fine keris during my life, and although this is something I enjoy, it does really does not do all that much for me any more. What I need is the knowledge that I can gain from close examination of very early pieces that are still in very good condition. This would be like having a time machine, and I'm sure I can learn much from such pieces.