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#1 |
Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 94
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Hello, dear collectors.
I recently acquired this interesting one for me keris. All I know about it is that it's Balinese keris.I know that the handle represents a stylized figure of Rakshasa. The reason it got into my collection is because I collect blades with massive and masterful silver craftsmanship. The total length is approximately 65 cm. The handle is made of solid silver. I would be grateful for any additional information ![]() |
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#2 |
Member
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 6,820
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Deleted.
A double post. |
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#3 |
Member
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 6,820
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I own & have owned a number of this type of keris.
The blade is stylistically Balinese, it does not pre-date 1900. We do not classify this hilt style as a raksasa hilt style, but rather as a prabu hilt style, specifically Prabu Ratmaja, who was a raksasa king. The object grasped in the right hand is representative of the tirta amerta vessel, a symbol of life & prosperity. The hilt is not "solid silver", it is a fabricated and embossed shell of silver over pitch or natural resin, possibly with a wooden core. The silver will be found to be a purity of .925, or close to it. The "gems" in the wewer (hilt ring) will be found to be pastes, ie, glass. This is not considered to be a negative in Balinese keris, the important factor in Balinese keris dress is the overall effect, and the red "gems" do achieve a distinct effect. The scabbard will test to approximately the same purity as the hilt, and has been constructed in a similar way, ie, a fabricated silver shell over wood. The quality of workmanship in this keris appears to be of a very superior standard, both in respect of the blade itself & the silver work. EDIT I should have mentioned something about this hilt style:- if the figure has fangs, & I have assumed it does, because you have initially called it a raksasa, then we have Ratmaja, but if the figure does not have fangs, then it is Bayu, God of the Winds. So, nasty bloke with fangs:- Prabu Ratmaja Friendly sort of bloke without fangs:- Dewa Bayu Last edited by A. G. Maisey; 15th May 2023 at 06:42 AM. Reason: After thought |
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#4 | |
Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 94
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