Is it a Tajong?

David · 25th March 2009, 01:39 AM

I agree that the pendokok is very interesting, but the hilt looks late 20th century and the carving looks non-traditional to me.
I couldn't tell you if the blade is at all old, but it doesn't seem to have much finesse. The ricikan looks pretty stiff and not quite right. Still, it is a bit unlike anything i have seen before in some ways. It looks something like a skilled foreigner's attempt at a keris. I don't think it would be fair to call this a proper Tajong.

Newsteel · 25th March 2009, 01:49 AM

Sorry but this is not the tajong (as we know from northern Malaysia or southern Thailand). All is not the right form, the blade is recently made not by a pandai (empu).

Sajen · 25th March 2009, 02:06 AM

Thank's for the open words from you! So I've paid a lot of money for a nicely worked selut.

Of course I've seen that the hilt isn't a fine work but have thought it's a simple form of a Tajong hilt. Badly paid apprentice's premium.
sajen

David · 25th March 2009, 04:19 AM

Don't worry Sajen, i think we all have at least one such learning lesson in all our collections somewhere.

Lew · 25th March 2009, 06:08 PM

Sajen

I was one of the low ball bidders on that piece and it is an interesting piece but as stated above the hilt was recent looking and the blade was of questionable quality. Was surprized it went for that final price.

Sajen · 25th March 2009, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOUIEBLADES

Sajen

I was one of the low ball bidders on that piece and it is an interesting piece but as stated above the hilt was recent looking and the blade was of questionable quality. Was surprized it went for that final price.

Thank you for your mail,
it seems that I am not the only one who have not a good knowledge about Tajong keris so it goes for a price like this.

I ask the seller if he can make a second change offer to the next two bidders and I pay him the different. He agree and I have to wait now two days.

sajen

A. G. Maisey · 25th March 2009, 11:49 PM

I've spent a lot of time looking at the pics of this keris.

I will preface my remarks by putting it right up front that I am no expert on tajong style keris. Yes, I own a few, some old, some more recent, but I am certainly no expert.

However, if I look carefully at this keris, what I can see is this:-

the blade shows grain, and a surface that does not appear to be artificially aged; the ada-ada is the same style as a tajong, the other ricikan look as if they have been done from memory, without a clear guide; the waves are inconsistent. I feel that this blade was made by a smith, rather than by a pandai keris. In other words, to me it looks like the product of a fairly unskilled person,possibly working in a rural area, working to the limit of his ability.

the handle shows uneven patina and open grain, and probably some wear; I do not think that this handle is anywhere near recent---always depending on what we mean by "recent".

the scabbard is worn and heavily patinated; from what I can see in the photos, it has age.

the pendongkok is well crafted, and a nice thing.

My assessment of this keris is that it does have some age, but that it is a not a high quality production, and is non-typical.

As such, and bearing in mind the problems of buying from photos, I don't really think that the price paid is too extreme yes, certainly I would not have gambled on it, principally because it obviously lacks quality, and I do not buy for rareity, but for quality.

But I don't think I can go along with the general feeling of condemnation of this keris.

25th March 2009, 01:39 AM	#1
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	I agree that the pendokok is very interesting, but the hilt looks late 20th century and the carving looks non-traditional to me. I couldn't tell you if the blade is at all old, but it doesn't seem to have much finesse. The ricikan looks pretty stiff and not quite right. Still, it is a bit unlike anything i have seen before in some ways. It looks something like a skilled foreigner's attempt at a keris. I don't think it would be fair to call this a proper Tajong.

25th March 2009, 01:49 AM	#2
Newsteel Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 132	Sorry but this is not the tajong (as we know from northern Malaysia or southern Thailand). All is not the right form, the blade is recently made not by a pandai (empu).

25th March 2009, 02:06 AM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,164	Thank's for the open words from you! So I've paid a lot of money for a nicely worked selut. Of course I've seen that the hilt isn't a fine work but have thought it's a simple form of a Tajong hilt. Badly paid apprentice's premium. sajen

25th March 2009, 04:19 AM	#4
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	Don't worry Sajen, i think we all have at least one such learning lesson in all our collections somewhere.

25th March 2009, 06:08 PM	#5
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Sajen I was one of the low ball bidders on that piece and it is an interesting piece but as stated above the hilt was recent looking and the blade was of questionable quality. Was surprized it went for that final price.

25th March 2009, 11:49 PM	#7
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,991	I've spent a lot of time looking at the pics of this keris. I will preface my remarks by putting it right up front that I am no expert on tajong style keris. Yes, I own a few, some old, some more recent, but I am certainly no expert. However, if I look carefully at this keris, what I can see is this:- the blade shows grain, and a surface that does not appear to be artificially aged; the ada-ada is the same style as a tajong, the other ricikan look as if they have been done from memory, without a clear guide; the waves are inconsistent. I feel that this blade was made by a smith, rather than by a pandai keris. In other words, to me it looks like the product of a fairly unskilled person,possibly working in a rural area, working to the limit of his ability. the handle shows uneven patina and open grain, and probably some wear; I do not think that this handle is anywhere near recent---always depending on what we mean by "recent". the scabbard is worn and heavily patinated; from what I can see in the photos, it has age. the pendongkok is well crafted, and a nice thing. My assessment of this keris is that it does have some age, but that it is a not a high quality production, and is non-typical. As such, and bearing in mind the problems of buying from photos, I don't really think that the price paid is too extreme yes, certainly I would not have gambled on it, principally because it obviously lacks quality, and I do not buy for rareity, but for quality. But I don't think I can go along with the general feeling of condemnation of this keris.