Central Javanese keris for comment

Sajen · 28th May 2023, 09:03 PM

Hello dear members,

Having given the minimum bid to this keris by a German auction, I've got the information that I am the winner. I have my own idea about it but want to read your comments about it, so please feel free to write what you think about it.

It should be 51 cm long stated the auction house, I don't know if with scabbard or without. Attached are the auction pictures.

A. G. Maisey · 28th May 2023, 10:33 PM

This is an older keris in good condition, it needs a serious appraisal.

Serious appraisals from photos are not something that I'm much good at, but I'll give it a shot.

The blade age is probably early 20th century, late 19th century.

It has been made in Central Jawa, but does not have indicators that suggest high level workmanship, the workmanship is heavy and lacks refinement, the rondha are neither Surakarta or Ngayogyakarta, the forge work appears to be better than adequate.

Based upon what I believe I can see in the photos, the work appears to be second or third level down from the quality expected from a kraton based mpu, the heavy ada-ada tends toward what we might think of as Kajoran, or at least something from the Klaten area, but it is not old enough for Koripan nor for Kajoran, and it lacks the features we expect in Kajoran.

Godean is not able to be considered because of the lack of high curvature in the gonjo and absence of other Mataram-like indicators. It is not Matesih.

The tikel alis puts it firmly into a more recent period of time.

I would very much like to see the top of the gonjo, no hilt, photo taken straight down onto the tip of the pesi.

At the moment I think I would need to place its geographic point of origin as simply "Jawa Tengah".

The wrongko appears to be terusan, ie, carved as a single entity, atasan & gandar from the same material & without a joint. I cannot comment on quality from these photos, maybe not from any photos.

The hilt appears to be adequate, but again it is impossible to comment on quality from photos.

In my opinion, this is a very nice addition to any serious collection.

Sajen · 29th May 2023, 02:26 PM

Thank you Alan,

Your appraisal is very welcome! I'll post a picture from top of the gonjo soon as I have received the keris.
I have the hope that I need only to reverse the pendok, add a mendak and give the blade a new stain to let it look nice again.
Thank you again and best regards,
Detlef

Gustav · 29th May 2023, 05:36 PM

Detlef,

I would definitely keep the old stain.
A good Keris.

Sajen · 29th May 2023, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gustav

I would definitely keep the old stain.
A good Keris.

Thank you Gustav,

I thought about it because the blade is in very good condition.

Regards,
Detlef

A. G. Maisey · 29th May 2023, 09:43 PM

In respect of the blade stain.

From the Javanese perspective this blade needs to be cleaned & stained. This keris is a cultural icon of the Javanese people, and they do own their own culture.

However, from the point of view of many collectors outside of Javanese culture & society, the preferable approach can be to attempt to freeze virtually any collected item in time.

My own approach is that if an existing old stain is sufficient to permit the blade to be read, then it might be best to try to preserve the old stain if possible.

I begin this process by washing the blade under warm running water and giving it a thorough clean with dishwash detergent & a toothbrush, then dry thoroughly including the use of heat --- sunshine, heat gun, low oven --- and spray with WD40 a few times over a few days. This is what I would be doing with this keris, it could well be found to be sufficient.

David · 29th May 2023, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gustav

Detlef,

I would definitely keep the old stain.
A good Keris.

I am in agreement with both Gustav and Alan on this. I believe that if you clean and oil the blade as Alan suggests that you will find that the existing stain will look much better than it does in these dealer photos.
I like this keris. It displays good character IMHO.

Sajen · 30th May 2023, 09:45 PM

Thank you gentlemen,

When I have received the keris I'll clean the blade like Alan suggested and will post a picture of the result.

28th May 2023, 09:03 PM	#1
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,761	Central Javanese keris for comment Hello dear members, Having given the minimum bid to this keris by a German auction, I've got the information that I am the winner. I have my own idea about it but want to read your comments about it, so please feel free to write what you think about it. It should be 51 cm long stated the auction house, I don't know if with scabbard or without. Attached are the auction pictures. Attached Images

28th May 2023, 10:33 PM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,879	This is an older keris in good condition, it needs a serious appraisal. Serious appraisals from photos are not something that I'm much good at, but I'll give it a shot. The blade age is probably early 20th century, late 19th century. It has been made in Central Jawa, but does not have indicators that suggest high level workmanship, the workmanship is heavy and lacks refinement, the rondha are neither Surakarta or Ngayogyakarta, the forge work appears to be better than adequate. Based upon what I believe I can see in the photos, the work appears to be second or third level down from the quality expected from a kraton based mpu, the heavy ada-ada tends toward what we might think of as Kajoran, or at least something from the Klaten area, but it is not old enough for Koripan nor for Kajoran, and it lacks the features we expect in Kajoran. Godean is not able to be considered because of the lack of high curvature in the gonjo and absence of other Mataram-like indicators. It is not Matesih. The tikel alis puts it firmly into a more recent period of time. I would very much like to see the top of the gonjo, no hilt, photo taken straight down onto the tip of the pesi. At the moment I think I would need to place its geographic point of origin as simply "Jawa Tengah". The wrongko appears to be terusan, ie, carved as a single entity, atasan & gandar from the same material & without a joint. I cannot comment on quality from these photos, maybe not from any photos. The hilt appears to be adequate, but again it is impossible to comment on quality from photos. In my opinion, this is a very nice addition to any serious collection.

29th May 2023, 02:26 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,761	Thank you Alan, Your appraisal is very welcome! I'll post a picture from top of the gonjo soon as I have received the keris. I have the hope that I need only to reverse the pendok, add a mendak and give the blade a new stain to let it look nice again. Thank you again and best regards, Detlef

29th May 2023, 05:36 PM	#4
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,246	Detlef, I would definitely keep the old stain. A good Keris.

29th May 2023, 09:43 PM	#6
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,879	In respect of the blade stain. From the Javanese perspective this blade needs to be cleaned & stained. This keris is a cultural icon of the Javanese people, and they do own their own culture. However, from the point of view of many collectors outside of Javanese culture & society, the preferable approach can be to attempt to freeze virtually any collected item in time. My own approach is that if an existing old stain is sufficient to permit the blade to be read, then it might be best to try to preserve the old stain if possible. I begin this process by washing the blade under warm running water and giving it a thorough clean with dishwash detergent & a toothbrush, then dry thoroughly including the use of heat --- sunshine, heat gun, low oven --- and spray with WD40 a few times over a few days. This is what I would be doing with this keris, it could well be found to be sufficient.

30th May 2023, 09:45 PM	#8
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,761	Thank you gentlemen, When I have received the keris I'll clean the blade like Alan suggested and will post a picture of the result.