javanese mendak for comment

[asomotif]

I found this interesting mendak on a keris (it was collected approx 1920).

It has small stones (inten?) in very small settings combined with filigrain / granulate decoration.

First time that I encountered this type.
So just for sharing. but comments and similar examples from forumites are more than welcome ofcourse.

Best regards,
Willem

[A. G. Maisey]

Madurese/East Jawa origin, not uncommon. Stones most likely yakut (rose cut rock crystal).
Intan are rose cut, usually poor quality diamonds. Examination through a loupe will assist in identification. The facet edges on the yakut are often bruised and rounded, the facet edges on intan are sharp. Reflectivity of intan is higher than yakut, so reflected light from intan has a hard quality whereas reflected light from yakut is softer.

[asomotif]

Hello ALan,

Thank you for the information.

What kind of finish would you think this to be ?

It has a dark black patina is some places.

Best regards,
Willem

[A. G. Maisey]

I'd be inclined to test it for silver. Silver gets a dark patina over time. It might have been gilt over silver, there's still some yellow there. You can only know by testing.

[asomotif]

some pictures of the complete keris. it was collected somewhere between 1916 - 1936 by a teacher employed in the Dutch Indies.