keris for tourist?

carlos · 20th November 2005, 05:25 PM

What´s you opinion about this keris?, is made for the tourist market?, in the book "The keris, mystic weapon of the malay wold", of Edgard frey appears one similar, pag. 74. The blade looks good.
Thanks
http://cgi.ebay.es/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...MEWN%3AIT&rd=1

Rick · 20th November 2005, 05:37 PM

Well I think the Seller used the wrong increment for measuring the blade .
At 44 mm. it would be about 1 3/4 inches long .

If it's 44cm that would be more reasonable for a Bali blade .
From the terrible pictures and the blade damage I would hazard a guess (only) that it may be an older blade in recent touristy dress .

YMMV (your mileage may vary)

nechesh · 20th November 2005, 06:36 PM

I agree with Rick. Infact, i've seen quite a few of these older blades (late 19thC) in this particular type of dress which has come to be associated with cheap modern tourist blades. I don't usually like the term "tourist", but when we are talking about those cut out blades with painted on "pamor" that often are presented in this type of dress i think the term is appropriate. I think that when an older keris' sheath wears out and the blade comes up for sale the sellers in Bali tend to dress them quickly and cheaply in this readily available furniture. Sometimes, if you're lucky, you can find some really nice blades this way for very little money.

simatua · 20th November 2005, 08:07 PM

Looks like a good old blade to me, although i am not a big fan of the dress;
Although very nice made and carved, which i be never able to make myself.
I would prefer to see a more simple dress ( as far as we can speak from simple)

Speaking about newly made kerises, in my opinion its not the pamor but the mainly the dapur / greneng which can tell tell the difference.
some better photo's more from the salesman closely would be nice.

I include some pictures of a recently made blade, to show you what i mean.

20th November 2005, 05:25 PM	#1
carlos Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 738	keris for tourist? What´s you opinion about this keris?, is made for the tourist market?, in the book "The keris, mystic weapon of the malay wold", of Edgard frey appears one similar, pag. 74. The blade looks good. Thanks http://cgi.ebay.es/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...MEWN%3AIT&rd=1

20th November 2005, 08:07 PM	#4
simatua Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 69	Looks like a good old blade to me, although i am not a big fan of the dress; Although very nice made and carved, which i be never able to make myself. I would prefer to see a more simple dress ( as far as we can speak from simple) Speaking about newly made kerises, in my opinion its not the pamor but the mainly the dapur / greneng which can tell tell the difference. some better photo's more from the salesman closely would be nice. I include some pictures of a recently made blade, to show you what i mean. Attached Images

20th November 2005, 05:37 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	Well I think the Seller used the wrong increment for measuring the blade . At 44 mm. it would be about 1 3/4 inches long . If it's 44cm that would be more reasonable for a Bali blade . From the terrible pictures and the blade damage I would hazard a guess (only) that it may be an older blade in recent touristy dress . YMMV (your mileage may vary)

20th November 2005, 06:36 PM	#3
nechesh Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 940	I agree with Rick. Infact, i've seen quite a few of these older blades (late 19thC) in this particular type of dress which has come to be associated with cheap modern tourist blades. I don't usually like the term "tourist", but when we are talking about those cut out blades with painted on "pamor" that often are presented in this type of dress i think the term is appropriate. I think that when an older keris' sheath wears out and the blade comes up for sale the sellers in Bali tend to dress them quickly and cheaply in this readily available furniture. Sometimes, if you're lucky, you can find some really nice blades this way for very little money.