Jawa Keris for ID

A. G. Maisey · Today, 04:47 AM

Yep, look at a lot of the stuff and you recognise it instinctively. I have around 200 ivory hilts, many of those are marine ivory, others are elephant. I have seen & handled many more than I own.

Somebody who is expert in the study of ivory can probably teach the rules of recognition, I cannot.

Its a bit like music:- you hear a piece of music you might be able to hum it, or whistle it, but unless you have been taught how to read music you will never whistle a tune from the way in which it is written. One thing is instinct, the other is taught knowledge.

Again like music:- sometimes you get it wrong.

Today, 04:47 AM	#10
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,886	Yep, look at a lot of the stuff and you recognise it instinctively. I have around 200 ivory hilts, many of those are marine ivory, others are elephant. I have seen & handled many more than I own. Somebody who is expert in the study of ivory can probably teach the rules of recognition, I cannot. Its a bit like music:- you hear a piece of music you might be able to hum it, or whistle it, but unless you have been taught how to read music you will never whistle a tune from the way in which it is written. One thing is instinct, the other is taught knowledge. Again like music:- sometimes you get it wrong.