Keris Jawa?

[Green]

This keris went under the hammer in a recent auction for a very substantial price and way above the original estimated price. I wanted this blade to replace a poorer blade with my good sumatran sarong (ivory) but of course i did not win and not willing to pay such a high price.

Congratulation to the winner who must have a very deep pocket !

But I have a couple of questions:

1: this keris (without the sheath) was described as keris java from early 20th century. But is this javanese? looks more sumatran to me.

2: The kinatah , particulary the one on the blade looks familiar but I can not recall what it symbolize or an emblem of some sort. Can anyone tell?

The kinatah looks recent addition. Is this fair to say?

Thanks in advance for you explanation and comments

[kai]

Blade flipped into standard position:

[Gustav]

I am pleased that somebody finally has some questions about the only blade from that auction that actually deserves to be discussed.

Some more pictures from auction house:

[Gustav]

1) - it is Javanese and isn't from early 20th cent.

2) - the gold work is done in two different time periods.

[Marcokeris]

Very nice old Javanese keris, but I don't like the bottom of the hilt: it's too long and tapered

[Gustav]

Originally Posted by Marcokeris

Very nice old Javanese keris, but I don't like the bottom of the hilt: it's too long and tapered

That means you don't like pre-1850 hilts.

[kai]

Hello Gustav,

I am pleased that somebody finally has some questions about the only blade from that auction that actually deserves to be discussed.

Maybe not exactly the only blade from that auction (even if limiting ourselves to keris here) - this one is certainly exceptional though...

Thanks for adding the additional pics!

Regards,
Kai

[kai]

Hello Nik,

I have a couple of questions:

1: this keris (without the sheath) was described as keris java from early 20th century. But is this javanese? looks more sumatran to me.

2: The kinatah , particulary the one on the blade looks familiar but I can not recall what it symbolize or an emblem of some sort. Can anyone tell?

The kinatah looks recent addition. Is this fair to say?

IMHO a very well preserved old blade. Never trust auction house descriptions - neither 20th century nor 21th century - needless to say that more than a few folks seriously went for it...

Regards,
Kai