51 luk keris with Naga

[A. G. Maisey]

Based upon what I can see in the photographs, this is not an old keris that has been re-shaped, but a recent creation of perhaps the 1970's.

The blade shows no evidence of a core, nor of folding. This material gives every appearance of being plain wrought iron, possibly a piece of carriage strapping, or even wheel rim.

The gonjo has a surface pattern that could possibly indicate folded material, and if this is so, it may be an old gonjo that has been recycled, however, the depth , smoothness and evenness of the surface pattern on the gonjo could indicate that the pattern has been created by a combination of mechanical and chemical means. Another possibility is that it has been made from the same wrought iron as the rest of the blade and the wrought iron layering has been deeply etched in order to reveal it. Physical examination would easily reveal the true nature of this gonjo, but it is difficult from a photograph.

Not a good keris, but interesting in that it shows clearly how far current era keris production has come in a relatively short space of time.

[asomotif]

Thank you all for the interesting background info and opinions

perhaps the 1970's.

This would be in line with the period that it was collected by the former owner.

To me the Gonjo / Ganja appears to be an old one. (considering the insight these comments have given me )

interesting in that it shows clearly how far current era keris production has come in a relatively short space of time.

That remark must be in a positive way I assume.
Weird stuff like this in no longer made ?

[Alam Shah]

Originally Posted by asomotif

This would be in line with the period that it was collected by the former owner.

To me the Gonjo / Ganja appears to be an old one. (considering the insight these comments have given me )?

Correct me if I'm wrong... In the 70's, it's the beginning of 'made to look old' new production pieces, and modified old pieces. It went pass the 80's... perhaps the 'golden age'... till present.

Originally Posted by asomotif

That remark must be in a positive way I assume.
Weird stuff like this in no longer made ?

On the contrary, afaik... still in production from borneo... and perhaps elsewhere. We've known the Sumatran-styled keris panjang and some variants being used, carried in history. I've seen old Sumbawa and Peninsular Malaysia variants... but Javanese? A question... was long pieces like these ever a norm or in use in keraton, regalia or in Javanese culture or elsewhere? Especially the wavy ones...

[Battara]

And notice that the naga isn't even gold plate - it is brass - and not well done

[PenangsangII]

I believe originally the keris used to be straight one and was filed to create the 51 luks...... What this naga called?

[A. G. Maisey]

Shahrial, the resurgence of interest in the keris that took place in the late 1970's generated the current era production, however, to the best of my knowledge, alterations, additions, and outright forgeries have always been a part of the keris trade.

The very first keris I bought in Indonesia, in Jakarta from a salesman in the front yard of the hotel where I was staying, was an alteration:- a very, very 4th rate keris that had had a singo barong added to it, and a lot of kinatah work, the principal purpose of which was to hide the joint. That was near 40 years ago.

That keris was only the first alteration that I bought, I took me years to learn how to identify altered keris---years and years and years. Even after I thought I was pretty smart at this game, I was still tricked; I didn't find this alteration until I got home, but I kept it anyway, because it is so very, very clever. No ahli keris who has examined this keris has picked the alteration until shown where it was.It is by the look of it a very old alteration, my guess would be over 100 years old.

According to Pak Parman there have been people altering and remanufacturing keris for at least a couple of hundred years.

I'm uncertain when the fashion that calls for new keris to be made to look old came into vogue. I suspect that it could be a pretty recent trend, as keris from pre-WWII do not appear to have been subjected to this treatment.

As to keris size in Jawa, amongst old keris there are some very big Tuban blades around, you will see the occasional super-size good quality keris from Surakarta, and the keris panjang also occurred in Jawa, but it is very seldom seen. In fact I haven't seen one now in years. You find a smattering of big East Javanese keris, too.

[sjors]

I believe originally the keris used to be straight one and was filed to create the 51 luks

Like this? Yes, altering still happens

[Alam Shah]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

... According to Pak Parman there have been people altering and remanufacturing keris for at least a couple of hundred years.

As to keris size in Jawa, amongst old keris there are some very big Tuban blades around, you will see the occasional super-size good quality keris from Surakarta, and the keris panjang also occurred in Jawa, but it is very seldom seen. In fact I haven't seen one now in years. You find a smattering of big East Javanese keris, too.

Thanks Alan for the info and the insight.
I guess the big Tuban keris were found to be ideal for alterations. What is the length of these longer pieces? What are the features of the Javanese keris panjang? If anyone have pictures of the Javanese keris panjang, please do share. Thanks.