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26th November 2023, 08:32 PM | #1 |
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Location: Nova Scotia
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I would have loved to have found this as my first keris. I agree with Jean pretty much based upon what i can see, though the winged figure seems more a Singo (lion) then a Naga (serpent). It's hard to be sure from your photos, but i agree that this figure appears to be original to this blade. I would say this could be more likely the earlier part of the 19th C than the latter. I would see how well you can clean this up with a bit of WD-40 and a good brushing with an old tooth brush.
It would be nice to see clearer, closer and better lit photos, especially of the figures at the base. I would like to get a better look at the smaller figure at the foot of the winged singo creature. |
27th November 2023, 12:01 AM | #2 |
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The totogan child is not a demon, it is the god of children, I cannot remember his name, but he is a protector of children, certainly not a demon.
The lion on the blade might be a later addition, as Jean has noted, I'd need microscopic examination to know this or not. Later additions to blades are not necessarily a bad thing, they sometimes reflect the changes in custodianship of a keris. The "stones" in the uwer might be plastic. If you go with David's suggestion of WD40 and a good scrub --- & I endorse this --- it is probably a good idea to start with a good wash down and toothbrush scrub in the kitchen sink, using warm water & dishwash detergent, then soak the blade over a few days in WD40 & scrub with a hard brush --- not a brush with metal bristles, but a hard toothbrush or similar, then the dishwash detergent & warm water again, dry in the sun & a spray with WD40. This is a very nice keris. I think the very first thing I'd do would be to attack the spot of red rust at the tip with repeated applications of vinegar, using cotton buds. |
27th November 2023, 04:44 PM | #3 | |
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27th November 2023, 09:40 PM | #4 |
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Location: Germany, Dortmund
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Agree with the others, a very nice blade! To my eyes the singha looks original to the blade!
Regards, Detlef |
27th November 2023, 11:32 PM | #5 |
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Join Date: Jun 2009
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Gentlemen,
please compare the crispness of the details of figure and the state of remnants of Greneng. |
28th November 2023, 01:29 AM | #6 |
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Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 6,857
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Yes Gustav, that Singa does look a bit less worn than other parts of the keris, but when we understand the how, when, where & why of various symbols to a Balinese keris blade, this is not really something of great importance.
The only way I can form a definite opinion on whether a symbol such as this Singa is a addition to a blade is by examination of the blade under magnification. |
28th November 2023, 09:47 AM | #7 |
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,238
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Alan, a bit less worn in this case is an euphemism.
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