Comments/Opinions on keris singa barong

Rick · 10th December 2006, 04:02 PM

Hi Kai Wee,
The work on the cecekans is extremely well done on this handle.
Semar is one of my favorite handle forms as possibly you can tell by my avatar.

The wood is just lovely.

Have you come to any conclusions about the age of this blade since you first posted?

Rick

David · 10th December 2006, 04:44 PM

Agreed, that is a lovely ukiran...and i also prefer your new choice of mendak.

Age is always a difficult thing to judge and they have gotten really good at different techniques of artifical aging. Regardless, i find this to be a very attractive keris, but i also understand the desire to KNOW one way or the other. I believe Kai Wee is correct that you can, from time to time, still find that excellent deal on a great old keris, and perhaps this is one of those times. As Alan suggested though, if one considers the price AND the source the answer might be implied. Either way i like it.

A. G. Maisey · 10th December 2006, 11:51 PM

Pretty nice keris, however, one thing troubles me with that singo barong:- I cannot see the lines of pamor continuing from the singo barong into the blade.
I have a couple of blades where the singo barong has been welded separately to the blade. When I bought them I did not see this, and only discovered it later. These blades have been inspected by some knowledgeable people, and they didn't see it either, until it was pointed out.

Kai Wee, I suggest that you inspect very carefully the entire area around the point where the singo barong joins the body of the blade, and a little further perhaps, and see if can find definite evidence of the grain of the metal continuing unbroken from the singo barong into the body of the blade.

The second handle you have fitted is a very nice handle, but it is not appropriate for this keris.

David · 11th December 2006, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

The second handle you have fitted is a very nice handle, but it is not appropriate for this keris.

Alan, given your experience with keris from this area i have no doubt you are correct about this, but would you mind explaining why for our edification?

A. G. Maisey · 11th December 2006, 12:44 AM

David, in this case a pic or two would be worth a thousand words, but right now I do not have time to do pics.

This handle style that Kai Wee has fitted is not an East Jawa style.Yes, it looks better than the Solo one did, but its still not right. Its just occurred to me I might have a pic on file . If I have I'll post it.

OK, here it is. Best I can do at short notice.

The handle that Kai Wee needs is one like either #2 or #4 from the left. Some others would also be suitable, but not the one on it at the moment.

David · 11th December 2006, 01:50 AM

Thanks Alan. I can't see the profile of #4 that well, but is it looks like it might be the same hilt form as that timoho sheathed keris i got from you from catalog #50. Not sure if you would remember.
Can you say what keris type Kai Wee's hilt would be appropriate for?

A. G. Maisey · 11th December 2006, 02:25 AM

I do not know the root of this handle form, but I have seen them associated with Jogja keris more than with any other type

I think that might have been list 49 David. Yes, that's an East Jawa type.

10th December 2006, 04:02 PM	#1
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,378	Hi Kai Wee, The work on the cecekans is extremely well done on this handle. Semar is one of my favorite handle forms as possibly you can tell by my avatar. The wood is just lovely. Have you come to any conclusions about the age of this blade since you first posted? Rick

10th December 2006, 04:44 PM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,261	Agreed, that is a lovely ukiran...and i also prefer your new choice of mendak. Age is always a difficult thing to judge and they have gotten really good at different techniques of artifical aging. Regardless, i find this to be a very attractive keris, but i also understand the desire to KNOW one way or the other. I believe Kai Wee is correct that you can, from time to time, still find that excellent deal on a great old keris, and perhaps this is one of those times. As Alan suggested though, if one considers the price AND the source the answer might be implied. Either way i like it.

10th December 2006, 11:51 PM	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,134	Pretty nice keris, however, one thing troubles me with that singo barong:- I cannot see the lines of pamor continuing from the singo barong into the blade. I have a couple of blades where the singo barong has been welded separately to the blade. When I bought them I did not see this, and only discovered it later. These blades have been inspected by some knowledgeable people, and they didn't see it either, until it was pointed out. Kai Wee, I suggest that you inspect very carefully the entire area around the point where the singo barong joins the body of the blade, and a little further perhaps, and see if can find definite evidence of the grain of the metal continuing unbroken from the singo barong into the body of the blade. The second handle you have fitted is a very nice handle, but it is not appropriate for this keris.

11th December 2006, 12:44 AM	#5
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,134	David, in this case a pic or two would be worth a thousand words, but right now I do not have time to do pics. This handle style that Kai Wee has fitted is not an East Jawa style.Yes, it looks better than the Solo one did, but its still not right. Its just occurred to me I might have a pic on file . If I have I'll post it. OK, here it is. Best I can do at short notice. The handle that Kai Wee needs is one like either #2 or #4 from the left. Some others would also be suitable, but not the one on it at the moment. Attached Images Last edited by A. G. Maisey; 11th December 2006 at 01:02 AM.

11th December 2006, 01:50 AM	#6
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,261	Thanks Alan. I can't see the profile of #4 that well, but is it looks like it might be the same hilt form as that timoho sheathed keris i got from you from catalog #50. Not sure if you would remember. Can you say what keris type Kai Wee's hilt would be appropriate for?

11th December 2006, 02:25 AM	#7
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,134	I do not know the root of this handle form, but I have seen them associated with Jogja keris more than with any other type I think that might have been list 49 David. Yes, that's an East Jawa type.