Advice on Javanese keris

SidJ · 21st July 2021, 12:16 AM

Hello
I would be grateful for any advice on the quality, age and pamor of this 3 luk Keris please. 47cm total length.
Many Thanks

A. G. Maisey · 22nd July 2021, 12:53 AM

It displays some characteristics that can be interpreted as Majapahit, but I most sincerely doubt that it can be attributed to origin during the period of the Kingdom of Majapahit.

It is very probably East Javanese, possibly before +/- 1850, the dress is good quality, the pendok I assume is silver, and would weigh around 110grms, it is engraved and probably this would prove to be very well executed, but I cannot know this from these photos.

The wrongko is very probably scented sandalwood (cendono wangi), the grain is aligned beautifully, this wrongko is the work of a master.

I cannot say much about the hilt from photos, I would need to handle it, the mendak should be silver, but even so, it is a standard pattern lung wideng, nothing special.

All the dress is Solo work, and very good quality Solo work at that, I would guess that the dress was done between about 1985 & 1995.

The pamor looks like random pattern, wos wutah.

This is overall a very nice keris.

David · 22nd July 2021, 05:00 PM

I can only second what Alan has written, but wanted to remark that i see you have expanded from your usual interest in Balinese keris in respectable style.

SidJ · 23rd July 2021, 12:25 AM

Hello Alan and David
Thank you for your detailed advice. I had no idea about the wrongko and what to look for at all so I have learned something new for which I am very grateful. I'm glad that you think the keris is nice overall.
David, yes I'm slowly looking beyond Balinese keris!
Best wishes
Sid

21st July 2021, 12:16 AM	#1
SidJ Member Join Date: Apr 2020 Posts: 177	Advice on Javanese keris Hello I would be grateful for any advice on the quality, age and pamor of this 3 luk Keris please. 47cm total length. Many Thanks Attached Images

23rd July 2021, 12:25 AM	#4
SidJ Member Join Date: Apr 2020 Posts: 177	Java keris Hello Alan and David Thank you for your detailed advice. I had no idea about the wrongko and what to look for at all so I have learned something new for which I am very grateful. I'm glad that you think the keris is nice overall. David, yes I'm slowly looking beyond Balinese keris! Best wishes Sid

22nd July 2021, 12:53 AM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,877	It displays some characteristics that can be interpreted as Majapahit, but I most sincerely doubt that it can be attributed to origin during the period of the Kingdom of Majapahit. It is very probably East Javanese, possibly before +/- 1850, the dress is good quality, the pendok I assume is silver, and would weigh around 110grms, it is engraved and probably this would prove to be very well executed, but I cannot know this from these photos. The wrongko is very probably scented sandalwood (cendono wangi), the grain is aligned beautifully, this wrongko is the work of a master. I cannot say much about the hilt from photos, I would need to handle it, the mendak should be silver, but even so, it is a standard pattern lung wideng, nothing special. All the dress is Solo work, and very good quality Solo work at that, I would guess that the dress was done between about 1985 & 1995. The pamor looks like random pattern, wos wutah. This is overall a very nice keris.

22nd July 2021, 05:00 PM	#3
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,113	I can only second what Alan has written, but wanted to remark that i see you have expanded from your usual interest in Balinese keris in respectable style.