Central Javanese keris for comment

[A. G. Maisey]

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.