Balinese Keris for comments

[RobertGuy]

Originally Posted by Jean

This kris was recently sold at an Italian auction house, a very artistic and contemporary piece in my opinion.
Regards

Contemporary? I believe ivory items dated post 1947 are illegal to sell in Italy so presumably this hilt is dated prior to that if it is indeed elephant ivory.

[mariusgmioc]

Thank you for your comments!

The hilt is definitely old ivory an judging by the patination and cracks, I would say around 100 years old.

Any comments about the Pamor?

[Marcokeris]

very nice pics !!!

[David]

Well, while this keris has been photographed in a beautiful manner these images don't actual make for a very good assessment. But then photographs often don't.
This is a lovely artistic piece. I i'm not convinced we are looking at antique ivory though i could not say if it dates pre-1947 or not.
The blade raises some questions for me. The greneng and ron dha look rather odd for an old Bali keris. The work at the gandik could have been added later to this keris. Hard to tell without a good close-up. The groves cut into the front of the gonjo look rather sloppy compared to the garap of the rest of this blade.
The sunggingan is very nicely done, but seems in unusual condition if it were to be very old, though it is always possible that it is just very well preserved.
A very attractive keris regardless.

[mariusgmioc]

Thank you very much for the comments!

Today I unmounted the Keris and started cleaning and examining it. I also took additional, hopefully more revealing photos (the previous ones were from the seller).

The blade appears quite new and shiny and I would appreciate any comments regarding the Pamor or the fierce looking figure.

[mariusgmioc]

The ivory hilt appears to be older than the blade and on the left side bears traces that it was exposed to open flame (perhaps a former owner wanted to test if it is ivory).

The figure, appears to be Buddha or a Buddhist priest... in my novice's oppinion (the rather typical mudra position of the right hand, the protruding belly, the extended - with earrings - ear lobes, and the smiling face, are in my oppinion all pointing to Buddhism).

Any oppinions regarding my theory are welcomed!

[mariusgmioc]

The base of the hilt appears to be a low content gold alloy (Souasa ?) but I am by no means very knowledgeable and it can be very well be some kind of brass.

The inside is partly filled with some kind of resin.

I cannot identify one of the stones, but all the others appear to be Agates.

[Jean]

Originally Posted by RobertGuy

Contemporary? I believe ivory items dated post 1947 are illegal to sell in Italy so presumably this hilt is dated prior to that if it is indeed elephant ivory.

When I say "contemporary" I do not mean brand new since this piece was in an Italian collection for some time but it may be about 30 years old. And it would not be difficult for the auction house to convince the Italian Customs authorities that this hilt dates from pre-1947 since it has some patina.
Regards