OPINIONS ABOUT THIS KERIS
 

HELLO EVERYBODY!! I HAVE BEEN ONE YEAR OUT OF THE FORUM BUT I HAVE RETURNED NOW, I´M VERY HAPPY TO BE HERE AGAIN!!.:) :) :)
I HAVE ONE QUESTIONS, WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ABOUT THIS KERIS? THE AUCTION IS ENDED,AND I´M THE WINNER, THE SELLER TELL IS FROM BORNEO, BUT IS ANTIQUE OR IS A MODERN REPRODUCTION?
THANKS !!
CARLOS

Frankly, that is a good question Carlos. I do see keris like this from time to time and i believe there is an example of this type of dress in Frey's book, though he doesn't have much to say. They do always seem to me attributed to Borneo. The question in my mind is whether this is a legitimate ethnographic dress for a particular tribe or merely a touristy thing. It is certainly a very "primitive" approach for keris decoration. Also, whenever i see these both the dress and the blade are always in poor condition, as if they came from a culture that doesn't take the usual ritual care of their keris.
My guess would be that both the blade and the sheath were made in Jawa and ended up in Borneo as trade to be decorated locally.

Carlos,

The description of the seller is probably the right description. Mostly you see these dress for the mandau with very bright painting. You see them for keris as well with the same bright paint. Those are made for the tourist.

The one you bought is a real original old one painted with natural colors. Mostly they say it comes from Borneo but these keris come from New Guinea. As David said imported from Java painted and decorated with teeth and hair, mostly goat.

Congrats with this find.