Keris - for Tourists?

Henk · 18th January 2005, 05:47 PM

Herzlich wilkommen, Klaus.

Nechesh is right. The blade is probably javanese. Not uncommon for this type of keris. Also balinese blades were used for these keris.
The dress is refered to as Borneo and probably the new ones for the tourists will come from Borneo, but this dresstype is also used for mandaus. This dress is typical for Irian Jiya, former Dutch West New Guinea.

The authentic keris and mandau from that area had the same dress and painting style. Only paint made from natural materials was used and the result was not so bright and shiny as this one. The blades were imported from Indonesia so therefore you can see them with balinese or javanese blades. And of course the blades weren't treated at all. Thats why these keris are always so terrible rusty.

What you have here Klaus is a new keris from Irian Jiya, made for export or if you like for tourists but made in the traditional way.

18th January 2005, 05:47 PM	#5
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Herzlich wilkommen, Klaus. Nechesh is right. The blade is probably javanese. Not uncommon for this type of keris. Also balinese blades were used for these keris. The dress is refered to as Borneo and probably the new ones for the tourists will come from Borneo, but this dresstype is also used for mandaus. This dress is typical for Irian Jiya, former Dutch West New Guinea. The authentic keris and mandau from that area had the same dress and painting style. Only paint made from natural materials was used and the result was not so bright and shiny as this one. The blades were imported from Indonesia so therefore you can see them with balinese or javanese blades. And of course the blades weren't treated at all. Thats why these keris are always so terrible rusty. What you have here Klaus is a new keris from Irian Jiya, made for export or if you like for tourists but made in the traditional way.