A foundation for examining the quality of a keris blade

ganjawulung · 7th July 2007, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

Ganja, i am sorry that you get this impression from Alan's words, but i hardly think that was his intention. Rather than implying that the Westerner's view is more "prefect" it implies to me just the opposite, the tendency of the Westerner to be drawn to a keris merely for it's visual appearence rather than having a better understanding of it's spiritual nature or the cultural context that a particular keris may have within it's own particular Indonesian society. In other words, we Westerners have a tendency to like something for it's surface appearence, because it is "just another pretty face" without getting to know the deeper truth behind the "face".

Dear Alan and David,
Of course, I know that was not your intention. That was just my simple question, and no hard feeling for me. I am sorry for my misunderstanding...

Ganjawulung

A. G. Maisey · 9th July 2007, 04:23 AM

G'day Kai,

An old blade in Jawa?

Depends who you talk to and the context of the conversation.

Can be pre Mataram, pre Mataram SA, pre PB X, pre 1980. Most usual Javanese and seriously accepted is pre Mataram, the later periods are regarded as "new" blades.My own interpretation is pre-WW II, which is probably more relevant to western collecting.

As to value, an old Tuban in old dress and mamas would not be all that pricey, no more so , really, than a decent current era blade in similar dress. But Kinom is costly enough to cause most people to proceed carefully, especially if in very good dress. Don't forget:- the value of a complete keris is the sum of its individual parts. A good Solo pendok can cost more than a pretty fair sort of blade.

Blade appraisal is based on tangguh. To be able to correctly appraise a blade, you do need a good understanding of tangguh --- as well as a lot of other things.

Kai, I'm a little uncomfortable with this talk of values. I feel that we are getting too close to the prohibition of no discussion relating to values. Possibly it may be as well to cease discussion in the open forum of value related things.

regards,

Alan.

Montino Bourbon · 2nd August 2007, 06:10 AM

Could you put up a photo of a 'centerfold'-type keris or two and a few good old keris so we can see what you mean?

A. G. Maisey · 3rd August 2007, 01:17 AM

I'm sorry Montino, but I would find that very difficult to do.

I do not , as a general rule, display keris from my private collection.

Keris that I have passed to other collectors, or intend to pass to other collectors cannot legitimately be shown in this Forum.

Possibly somebody else may be able to assist.

2nd August 2007, 06:10 AM	#3
Montino Bourbon Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Santa Barbara, California Posts: 301	Dear Mr Maisey; Could you put up a photo of a 'centerfold'-type keris or two and a few good old keris so we can see what you mean?

9th July 2007, 04:23 AM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,056	G'day Kai, An old blade in Jawa? Depends who you talk to and the context of the conversation. Can be pre Mataram, pre Mataram SA, pre PB X, pre 1980. Most usual Javanese and seriously accepted is pre Mataram, the later periods are regarded as "new" blades.My own interpretation is pre-WW II, which is probably more relevant to western collecting. As to value, an old Tuban in old dress and mamas would not be all that pricey, no more so , really, than a decent current era blade in similar dress. But Kinom is costly enough to cause most people to proceed carefully, especially if in very good dress. Don't forget:- the value of a complete keris is the sum of its individual parts. A good Solo pendok can cost more than a pretty fair sort of blade. Blade appraisal is based on tangguh. To be able to correctly appraise a blade, you do need a good understanding of tangguh --- as well as a lot of other things. Kai, I'm a little uncomfortable with this talk of values. I feel that we are getting too close to the prohibition of no discussion relating to values. Possibly it may be as well to cease discussion in the open forum of value related things. regards, Alan.

3rd August 2007, 01:17 AM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,056	I'm sorry Montino, but I would find that very difficult to do. I do not , as a general rule, display keris from my private collection. Keris that I have passed to other collectors, or intend to pass to other collectors cannot legitimately be shown in this Forum. Possibly somebody else may be able to assist.