Some Help with a Balinese Keris

BSMStar · 3rd February 2005, 04:17 PM

Can any one tell me something about this Balinese Keris. Why a silver hilt? and so on... the significants of the Black and Silver sheath...

Thanks!

ariel · 3rd February 2005, 04:20 PM

Even for a total ignoramus that I am, this baby is beautiful! Congratulations!

capt.smash · 3rd February 2005, 04:35 PM

wow thats beautyful.....id give my hind teath for that

Mick · 3rd February 2005, 05:02 PM

BMStar

I am not an expert on these pieces, but I do know a little bit about them. That is a very good piece. I suggest that you clean that varnish or sludgy oil from the blade with generous applications of kerosene and fine toothbushing (the tooth brush will probably fall apart but that is of little consequence). If you don’t have original keris oil you can apply a synthetic gun oil to the blade with an artists brush. (I usually mix keris oil and the synthetic oil 1 to 1 to get both good protection and the proper odor for the blade. I think that this still shows reverence for the blade although purist experts will probably disagree.)

As to why the use of silver and ebony, not everyone has the wherewithal to provide gold and ivory which are the top items for this purpose. The stones look real and are of the proper colors.

LabanTayo · 3rd February 2005, 05:41 PM

I remember handling this Keris when BSMStar got it. Its probably the nicest Keris I've ever handled. Very nice piece.
BSMStar, would you trade it for a Moro Kris???

BSMStar · 3rd February 2005, 06:29 PM

Thank you all for your kind remarks.

Thank you LabanTayo, you are bound and determined to make me a Moro collector... alais, I seem to have misplaced my money tree.

But who knows what the future may hold.

This keris does not have the usual "elephant trunk", does anyone know what this shape is called/means??

The stones are real; one of the sapphires on the back is a "star" sapphire. Usually this type of hilt is mentioned to be gold, so why the investment in silver?

The blade is actually clean, its just showing some oil residue (in the light). The blade appears to be a three metal pamor, the black iron, the nickel and a golden (oxide like) looking metal. I might try to get some better pictures of the pamor.

Thank you all for your help and insight!

Henk · 3rd February 2005, 07:45 PM

This is a beauty indeed.

Don't brush the surface with a toothbrush!!!!! If you clean it the etching might disapear. So don't!! As you said it is residu from oiling and that will disapear in time and oiling the blade prevents it from rusting.

When you make more pictures, make another one of the base of the blade so that we can clearly see the shape of the kembang kacang. Would like to see more of the scabbard too and an overall view of the keris.

And why silver? I think Mick gave the answer. And mostly these keris with ivory and gold were only for the royal families.

Mick · 3rd February 2005, 08:17 PM

BMStar

The sequence of dress (in regard to metals) goes gold, gold capping, gold plating (originally fire gilding), silver, and copper/brass. Many of the “golden hilts” are actually gilded silver and or gilded copper/brass. This is nothing to be ashamed of as good workmanship is really achieved in all of the metals. Your piece shows good quality workmanship. It is not of the highest quality, but it is damned good. I have seen pure gold pieces which have nowhere near the quality of workmanship as yours. (Seems strange doesn’t it.) People in Bali are still turning out exceptionally fine work as well as some mediocre and the junk brass pieces that are sometimes passed of on eBay as “Golden”.

As far as the other color besides black and white on the blade, I believe that we have resolved (here on the forum) that this is caused by impurities in the wranga used in the etching process.

Henk

Perhaps I didn't make myself clear. I recommended the use of kerosene wiped into crevaces of the blade with a soft (not hard) toothbrush ro get all pieces of dirt off of the blade in order to start protecting the blade with a clean finish. Obviously no toothpaste is to used in this process. Indeed it would polish the patina off of the blade.

BSMStar · 3rd February 2005, 11:22 PM

Thank you Mick and Henk for you wisdom and input!!!!!!!!!!

I apologize for the poor quality pictures (not enough lighting). I will break out my lights and take better pictures... (busy schedule, but hopefully by this weekend).

I know in Bali, that black and white show the "struggle" or "balance" between good and evil. I have not seen many black sheaths before.

Maybe there is a balance with the silver around the black wood?

My question about the silver Bayu (secretly) is my wondering about the status of the original owner, with the rubies and sapphires (and agates around Bayu's base), it probably didn't belong to your average "Joe".... with the black and silver, what the spiritual background or meaning may be.

Thanks again for your insight, I am on a learning curve with Balinese Keris'.

3rd February 2005, 04:17 PM	#1
BSMStar Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kansas City, MO USA Posts: 312	Some Help with a Balinese Keris Can any one tell me something about this Balinese Keris. Why a silver hilt? and so on... the significants of the Black and Silver sheath... Thanks! Attached Images

3rd February 2005, 08:17 PM	#8
Mick Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Orlando Posts: 104	BMStar The sequence of dress (in regard to metals) goes gold, gold capping, gold plating (originally fire gilding), silver, and copper/brass. Many of the “golden hilts” are actually gilded silver and or gilded copper/brass. This is nothing to be ashamed of as good workmanship is really achieved in all of the metals. Your piece shows good quality workmanship. It is not of the highest quality, but it is damned good. I have seen pure gold pieces which have nowhere near the quality of workmanship as yours. (Seems strange doesn’t it.) People in Bali are still turning out exceptionally fine work as well as some mediocre and the junk brass pieces that are sometimes passed of on eBay as “Golden”. As far as the other color besides black and white on the blade, I believe that we have resolved (here on the forum) that this is caused by impurities in the wranga used in the etching process. Henk Perhaps I didn't make myself clear. I recommended the use of kerosene wiped into crevaces of the blade with a soft (not hard) toothbrush ro get all pieces of dirt off of the blade in order to start protecting the blade with a clean finish. Obviously no toothpaste is to used in this process. Indeed it would polish the patina off of the blade. Last edited by Mick; 3rd February 2005 at 09:40 PM.

3rd February 2005, 04:20 PM	#2
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Even for a total ignoramus that I am, this baby is beautiful! Congratulations!

3rd February 2005, 04:35 PM	#3
capt.smash Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Devon ,England Posts: 80	wow thats beautyful.....id give my hind teath for that

3rd February 2005, 05:02 PM	#4
Mick Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Orlando Posts: 104	BMStar I am not an expert on these pieces, but I do know a little bit about them. That is a very good piece. I suggest that you clean that varnish or sludgy oil from the blade with generous applications of kerosene and fine toothbushing (the tooth brush will probably fall apart but that is of little consequence). If you don’t have original keris oil you can apply a synthetic gun oil to the blade with an artists brush. (I usually mix keris oil and the synthetic oil 1 to 1 to get both good protection and the proper odor for the blade. I think that this still shows reverence for the blade although purist experts will probably disagree.) As to why the use of silver and ebony, not everyone has the wherewithal to provide gold and ivory which are the top items for this purpose. The stones look real and are of the proper colors.

3rd February 2005, 05:41 PM	#5
LabanTayo Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kansas City Posts: 177	I remember handling this Keris when BSMStar got it. Its probably the nicest Keris I've ever handled. Very nice piece. BSMStar, would you trade it for a Moro Kris???

3rd February 2005, 06:29 PM	#6
BSMStar Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kansas City, MO USA Posts: 312	Thank you all for your kind remarks. Thank you LabanTayo, you are bound and determined to make me a Moro collector... alais, I seem to have misplaced my money tree. But who knows what the future may hold. This keris does not have the usual "elephant trunk", does anyone know what this shape is called/means?? The stones are real; one of the sapphires on the back is a "star" sapphire. Usually this type of hilt is mentioned to be gold, so why the investment in silver? The blade is actually clean, its just showing some oil residue (in the light). The blade appears to be a three metal pamor, the black iron, the nickel and a golden (oxide like) looking metal. I might try to get some better pictures of the pamor. Thank you all for your help and insight!

3rd February 2005, 07:45 PM	#7
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	This is a beauty indeed. Don't brush the surface with a toothbrush!!!!! If you clean it the etching might disapear. So don't!! As you said it is residu from oiling and that will disapear in time and oiling the blade prevents it from rusting. When you make more pictures, make another one of the base of the blade so that we can clearly see the shape of the kembang kacang. Would like to see more of the scabbard too and an overall view of the keris. And why silver? I think Mick gave the answer. And mostly these keris with ivory and gold were only for the royal families.

3rd February 2005, 11:22 PM	#9
BSMStar Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kansas City, MO USA Posts: 312	Thank you Mick and Henk for you wisdom and input!!!!!!!!!! I apologize for the poor quality pictures (not enough lighting). I will break out my lights and take better pictures... (busy schedule, but hopefully by this weekend). I know in Bali, that black and white show the "struggle" or "balance" between good and evil. I have not seen many black sheaths before. Maybe there is a balance with the silver around the black wood? My question about the silver Bayu (secretly) is my wondering about the status of the original owner, with the rubies and sapphires (and agates around Bayu's base), it probably didn't belong to your average "Joe".... with the black and silver, what the spiritual background or meaning may be. Thanks again for your insight, I am on a learning curve with Balinese Keris'.