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Old 31st January 2022, 05:13 PM   #1
Paul B.
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Default Sumatra keris with ivory parts

Got a nice Sumatra keris recently and the handle shows details which I have never come across. There are 2 perfect round holes, one artifically made underneath for matching the pesi. From the lower part of the back there is a an ivory cover (same age). This opening is the nerve running in line with the full length of the handle.
Any clues about the type of ivory? The honey colour is original?
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Old 31st January 2022, 05:47 PM   #2
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Detailed photos of other areas of the hilt would help identify the type of ivory. I thins point i am inclined to say marine ivory, possibly a whale's tooth.
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Old 1st February 2022, 01:08 PM   #3
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More pics will tell you. It has light shades. Marine ivory was my first guess also but what kind of is it?
Wonder why there is a straight (repaired) line in the front and back. Seems more like a lack of material than a broken part. A closer look also tells me that the structure does not continue in the patched parts.
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Old 1st February 2022, 03:15 PM   #4
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Well, you have grain, but it does not look like the Schreger pattern we find in elephant ivory, so i am still inclined towards marine ivory. It does not display characteristics of hippo and i'm not sure you will find pieces this large to work fro dugong. So i would assume probably whale tooth.
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Old 1st February 2022, 04:02 PM   #5
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Agree, it isn't elephant and belief it is some kind of marine ivory. Could sperm whale be an option?
The handle is heavy and big (length about 11 cm).
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Old 1st February 2022, 06:46 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul B. View Post
Could sperm whale be an option?
The handle is heavy and big (length about 11 cm).
Yes Paul, I think that it's sperm whale. The wrongko seems to be from elephant ivory and I agree that the put on pieces are made by lack of material.

Regards,
Detlef

PS: very nice Minangkabau keris. Can we see the blade?
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