Keris acquired in Makassar

David · 9th May 2016, 07:30 PM

Welcome to the forum Ken. What are the dress materials? Looks like copper and brass. Would that be correct? And sign of gold plating? Have you had the metals tested?
Bugis keris are not my strong point, but i would say the 1600s date you were given is quite optimistic. Without a better look (better photos would be helpful) i would feel more comfortable with placing the blade somewhere in the 19th century, perhaps a little earlier. The dress may be later though.
If you present close-ups of the writing someone here might well be able to translate it. Most probably they are verses from the Quran.

9th May 2016, 07:30 PM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	Welcome to the forum Ken. What are the dress materials? Looks like copper and brass. Would that be correct? And sign of gold plating? Have you had the metals tested? Bugis keris are not my strong point, but i would say the 1600s date you were given is quite optimistic. Without a better look (better photos would be helpful) i would feel more comfortable with placing the blade somewhere in the 19th century, perhaps a little earlier. The dress may be later though. If you present close-ups of the writing someone here might well be able to translate it. Most probably they are verses from the Quran.