Royal Bali Keris for comments

Pusaka · 27th February 2009, 04:59 PM

Here are a few snaps I took of a Bali keris I have, The handle is solid 18K gold, fairly heavy and studded with various jewels.

The blade is 7 luk and has some signs of rust but wouldn't have thought it has any great age.

Keris like this were often owned by raja or prince, the handle is in the form of the Hindu God BhaBayu as far as I can tell.

asomotif · 27th February 2009, 05:34 PM

Interesting.

Do you have a picture of the tip of the blade ?

best regards,
Willem

David · 27th February 2009, 06:49 PM

The pictures aren't to good so i might be mistaken, but gold and jewels aside, this isn't the level craftsmanship i would expect from a royal Bali keris.

This link shows a few that might be closer to royal quality levels:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...old+Bali+hilts

Sajen · 27th February 2009, 08:12 PM

Hello Pusaka,
I agree with David, in my opinion the keris and handle recent work and not in a quality of a royal pusaka.
Here a better handle from my avatar for comparison.
Regards,
sajen

Marcokeris · 27th February 2009, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hello Pusaka,
I agree with David, in my opinion the keris and handle recent work and not in a quality of a royal pusaka.
Here a better handle from my avatar for comparison.
Regards,
sajen

Great!! Awesome!!

Pusaka · 28th February 2009, 11:27 AM

Yes those keris are of a higher standard, particularly the one with large diamonds set in the handle (must be worth an absolute fortune)

I think the difference in the quality is that mine was simply cast whilst the other examples were cast and then hand chased with tools to bring out the detail.

My keris handle shows signs that some of the gems were picked out and replaced at some point. I think the original owner probably removed the more expensive gems and replaced them with less expensive ones before passing it on.

David · 28th February 2009, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pusaka

Yes those keris are of a higher standard, particularly the one with large diamonds set in the handle (must be worth an absolute fortune)

I think the difference in the quality is that mine was simply cast whilst the other examples were cast and then hand chased with tools to bring out the detail.

My keris handle shows signs that some of the gems were picked out and replaced at some point. I think the original owner probably removed the more expensive gems and replaced them with less expensive ones before passing it on.

Actually, it's really not a matter of expensive gems, it a matter of the metal work itself that leads me to believe that yours is not the hilt of a "rajas" keris. In Bali the overall effect is more important than the worth of individual stones and it is not uncommon to find glass "stones" on royal hilts along side real ones if the fit the intended overall appearance.

Sajen · 28th February 2009, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcokeris

Great!! Awesome!!

Thank's!
regards,
sajen

27th February 2009, 04:59 PM	#1
Pusaka Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 341	Royal Bali Keris for comments Here are a few snaps I took of a Bali keris I have, The handle is solid 18K gold, fairly heavy and studded with various jewels. The blade is 7 luk and has some signs of rust but wouldn't have thought it has any great age. Keris like this were often owned by raja or prince, the handle is in the form of the Hindu God BhaBayu as far as I can tell. Attached Images

27th February 2009, 06:49 PM	#3
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,123	The pictures aren't to good so i might be mistaken, but gold and jewels aside, this isn't the level craftsmanship i would expect from a royal Bali keris. This link shows a few that might be closer to royal quality levels: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...old+Bali+hilts Last edited by David; 27th February 2009 at 07:31 PM.

27th February 2009, 08:12 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,781	Hello Pusaka, I agree with David, in my opinion the keris and handle recent work and not in a quality of a royal pusaka. Here a better handle from my avatar for comparison. Regards, sajen Attached Images

27th February 2009, 05:34 PM	#2
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,225	Interesting. Do you have a picture of the tip of the blade ? best regards, Willem

28th February 2009, 11:27 AM	#6
Pusaka Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 341	Yes those keris are of a higher standard, particularly the one with large diamonds set in the handle (must be worth an absolute fortune) I think the difference in the quality is that mine was simply cast whilst the other examples were cast and then hand chased with tools to bring out the detail. My keris handle shows signs that some of the gems were picked out and replaced at some point. I think the original owner probably removed the more expensive gems and replaced them with less expensive ones before passing it on.