Dragon kris ID?

[Jean]

Originally Posted by mykeris

Appreciate, if you all could be kind enough to post some real naga gold kerises made before the independence of Indonesia, it would help to strengthen my knowledge of javanese naga kerises. tq in advance.

Such krisses cost a fortune (in the range of 100,000 USD but could vary significantly from one piece to another according to the age and quality) so unfortunately I have none to show
You can view some specimens in the kris books (e.g. Keris Jawa) or museums but many of them are from 20th century.
Regards

[David]

Originally Posted by Jean

You can view some specimens in the kris books (e.g. Keris Jawa) or museums but many of them are from 20th century.

You can see a couple of nice examples on pgs. 29 and 163 in Court Arts of Indonesia if you are interested.
I agree with others that yours is contemporary (post Independence and most probably post 1970s) and the Banjarmasin hilt is inappropriate for this form.

[mykeris]

Agreed with you David but I have another guess perhaps prior to 1950s - 1960s based on its its medium size, 'garapan'(handwork) quality and its 'natural looking' dragon keris. Sure, the hilt should be of Javanese nature. Tq again...mykeris.

[David]

Originally Posted by mykeris

Agreed with you David but I have another guess perhaps prior to 1950s - 1960s based on its its medium size, 'garapan'(handwork) quality and its 'natural looking' dragon keris. Sure, the hilt should be of Javanese nature. Tq again...mykeris.

Do you care to be more specific about your guess? What exactly about the garap do you see as a clue to this? What are the sources of the keris you are comparing it to in this last post? And why do you keep calling a naga a "dragon"?

[mykeris]

Perhaps, it looks natural, sorry no reference, through 'feel', it coud be not appropriate & acurate

[Jean]

Originally Posted by mykeris

Perhaps, it looks natural, sorry no reference, through 'feel', it coud be not appropriate & acurate

Hello Mykeris,
I can understand your "feeling" that this is an older kris from the worn-out kinatah and deep carving especially and I was hesitating when I first saw it. However the carving is overdone and does not seem to be finely made in the cavities, and in the kris world I have learned that "too much or too nice is suspect"
Regards

[mykeris]

It doesnt matter Jean, I feel good knowing that it wasnt made yesterday, at least as David said...1970s...thats really good enough......as acquiring older ones would cost by hundred thousands. Appreciate all comments from you all, I love your Experience!. TQ