Comments/Opinions on keris singa barong

A. G. Maisey · 10th December 2006, 10:51 PM

Pretty nice keris, however, one thing troubles me with that singo barong:- I cannot see the lines of pamor continuing from the singo barong into the blade.
I have a couple of blades where the singo barong has been welded separately to the blade. When I bought them I did not see this, and only discovered it later. These blades have been inspected by some knowledgeable people, and they didn't see it either, until it was pointed out.

Kai Wee, I suggest that you inspect very carefully the entire area around the point where the singo barong joins the body of the blade, and a little further perhaps, and see if can find definite evidence of the grain of the metal continuing unbroken from the singo barong into the body of the blade.

The second handle you have fitted is a very nice handle, but it is not appropriate for this keris.

David · 10th December 2006, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

The second handle you have fitted is a very nice handle, but it is not appropriate for this keris.

Alan, given your experience with keris from this area i have no doubt you are correct about this, but would you mind explaining why for our edification?

A. G. Maisey · 10th December 2006, 11:44 PM

David, in this case a pic or two would be worth a thousand words, but right now I do not have time to do pics.

This handle style that Kai Wee has fitted is not an East Jawa style.Yes, it looks better than the Solo one did, but its still not right. Its just occurred to me I might have a pic on file . If I have I'll post it.

OK, here it is. Best I can do at short notice.

The handle that Kai Wee needs is one like either #2 or #4 from the left. Some others would also be suitable, but not the one on it at the moment.

David · 11th December 2006, 12:50 AM

Thanks Alan. I can't see the profile of #4 that well, but is it looks like it might be the same hilt form as that timoho sheathed keris i got from you from catalog #50. Not sure if you would remember.
Can you say what keris type Kai Wee's hilt would be appropriate for?

A. G. Maisey · 11th December 2006, 01:25 AM

I do not know the root of this handle form, but I have seen them associated with Jogja keris more than with any other type

I think that might have been list 49 David. Yes, that's an East Jawa type.

David · 11th December 2006, 01:34 AM

Thanks Alan. Yes, it could have been 49. They run together after a while.

BluErf · 11th December 2006, 02:35 PM

Hi Rick,

Well, I've given up trying to ascertain the age, but I think it is probably not very old.

Hi David,

Thanks. This is definitely no high keris, and it came at a "not high" price, though I'd be a little bit hesitant to say cheap. The keris is, as Empu Kumis (sorry, forgot his latest forum nick) once said, a nice piece for a collection, but not a great one.

Hi Alan,

Thanks for pointing that out. Yes, the hilt is a Yogya hilt, as the seller had informed me.

However, this is the closest form to a East Javanese hilt that I can find. The original hilt on the singa barong is too large and very ugly. I guess I'll have to have a "redux redux" when I can find a small-sized East Javanese hilt that can fit the proportionately long peksi.

I know what you are referring to. I spent a long time scrutinising the singa's points of connection to the blade when I first bought the keris and I do see some disjointed lines. However, that does not apply to the tail, which is definitely part of the original keris body. So unless only the body was welded on to the remnants of the blade, from which the tail was carved. Whoever is doing these things are good...

But just a point for thought - could it be a possibility that the original keris pandai made the keris like that - make the billet for the keris, and add material to the gandik for the singa?

10th December 2006, 11:44 PM	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,991	David, in this case a pic or two would be worth a thousand words, but right now I do not have time to do pics. This handle style that Kai Wee has fitted is not an East Jawa style.Yes, it looks better than the Solo one did, but its still not right. Its just occurred to me I might have a pic on file . If I have I'll post it. OK, here it is. Best I can do at short notice. The handle that Kai Wee needs is one like either #2 or #4 from the left. Some others would also be suitable, but not the one on it at the moment. Attached Images Last edited by A. G. Maisey; 11th December 2006 at 12:02 AM.

10th December 2006, 10:51 PM	#1
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,991	Pretty nice keris, however, one thing troubles me with that singo barong:- I cannot see the lines of pamor continuing from the singo barong into the blade. I have a couple of blades where the singo barong has been welded separately to the blade. When I bought them I did not see this, and only discovered it later. These blades have been inspected by some knowledgeable people, and they didn't see it either, until it was pointed out. Kai Wee, I suggest that you inspect very carefully the entire area around the point where the singo barong joins the body of the blade, and a little further perhaps, and see if can find definite evidence of the grain of the metal continuing unbroken from the singo barong into the body of the blade. The second handle you have fitted is a very nice handle, but it is not appropriate for this keris.

11th December 2006, 12:50 AM	#4
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	Thanks Alan. I can't see the profile of #4 that well, but is it looks like it might be the same hilt form as that timoho sheathed keris i got from you from catalog #50. Not sure if you would remember. Can you say what keris type Kai Wee's hilt would be appropriate for?

11th December 2006, 01:25 AM	#5
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,991	I do not know the root of this handle form, but I have seen them associated with Jogja keris more than with any other type I think that might have been list 49 David. Yes, that's an East Jawa type.

11th December 2006, 01:34 AM	#6
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	Thanks Alan. Yes, it could have been 49. They run together after a while.

11th December 2006, 02:35 PM	#7
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Hi Rick, Well, I've given up trying to ascertain the age, but I think it is probably not very old. Hi David, Thanks. This is definitely no high keris, and it came at a "not high" price, though I'd be a little bit hesitant to say cheap. The keris is, as Empu Kumis (sorry, forgot his latest forum nick) once said, a nice piece for a collection, but not a great one. Hi Alan, Thanks for pointing that out. Yes, the hilt is a Yogya hilt, as the seller had informed me. However, this is the closest form to a East Javanese hilt that I can find. The original hilt on the singa barong is too large and very ugly. I guess I'll have to have a "redux redux" when I can find a small-sized East Javanese hilt that can fit the proportionately long peksi. I know what you are referring to. I spent a long time scrutinising the singa's points of connection to the blade when I first bought the keris and I do see some disjointed lines. However, that does not apply to the tail, which is definitely part of the original keris body. So unless only the body was welded on to the remnants of the blade, from which the tail was carved. Whoever is doing these things are good... But just a point for thought - could it be a possibility that the original keris pandai made the keris like that - make the billet for the keris, and add material to the gandik for the singa?