My Batak Keris...my first post

harimauhk · 25th June 2009, 06:07 AM

Hi everyone,

I've been lurking for a while, and I decided it was finally time to ask Lee if I could participate on this board to share information with (and learn from) the great people here.

I purchased this Batak keris a few months ago. Apparently, it was brought back from the Lake Toba area in the '70s. The blade is supposedly from the 17th century, although I don't know if I believe that. What do you guys think?

Cheers

harimauhk · 25th June 2009, 02:37 PM

A couple more pics...

Emanuel · 25th June 2009, 03:09 PM

Hello Harimauhk,

Welcome to the forum. First thing, this thread is most appropriate in the Keris Warung Kopi, the keris forum. Moderators will quickly move it I imagine.

Second thing is...sorry, you got snookered. This is a tourist keris-like object. The same thing happened with my very first "keris". A "lake Toba" example but with "gold" kinata. I was disgusted when I received it.

Yours has solder applied to the surface to imitate pamor. Tough lesson but that's how it goes.

Third thing...don't let this discourage you

Take the time to read all of the material on this site, there's loads. Then you can purchase a real keris and go on from there.

Regards,
Emanuel

Rick · 25th June 2009, 03:59 PM

Another guilty party here too !

David · 25th June 2009, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

Another guilty party here too !

Actually Rick, i think you actually have a real blade there, albeit, not a very good one.

Rick · 25th June 2009, 04:46 PM

True David , but the rest is quite similar .

HughChen · 11th August 2024, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

Another guilty party here too !

Hi Rick,

I have a very similar keris like yours. I got it from an auction. It's said to be more than 100 years old!

Rick · 11th August 2024, 06:15 PM

Hello Hugh and welcome to the forums.

You have a real keris blade there, but I don't think you would see a person of the culture wearing this ensemble in public.

As for 100 years that would be doubtful for the dress although I haven't seen many of this dress style in recent years.

As far as the attribution you have been given on this piece goes; we have a saying here; "buy the keris not the story".

We have a very large archive of keris related posts and there is a lot to be learned from doing a search by keyword there, and don't be shy about asking questions.

David · 25th June 2009, 04:04 PM

Welcome to the forum Harimauhk. I am afraid that Emmanuel is exactly right. This is a 20th century tourist object and it would be unfair to really call it a keris. I don't mean to be harsh, but it's just the facts. I think most of us have at some point in our collecting careers been taken in a similar matter. I hope it won't turn you off to collecting keris. They are indeed beautiful, wonderful and fascinating things. If you stick around this forum you will no doubt learn much from our large and knowledgeable membership and avoid such a mistake in the future.

Alam Shah · 25th June 2009, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harimauhk

.. I've been lurking for a while, and I decided it was finally time to ask Lee if I could participate on this board to share information with... Apparently, it was brought back from the Lake Toba area in the '70s. The blade is supposedly from the 17th century, although I don't know if I believe that. What do you guys think?

Hi Harimauhk, welcome to the keris forum

.. I agree with what have been mentioned about your keris. North Sumatra, Medan, Lake Toba area is notorious for selling touristy souvenir kerises.. not a good place to look for real ones, imho.

25th June 2009, 06:07 AM	#1
harimauhk Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 88	My Batak Keris...my first post Hi everyone, I've been lurking for a while, and I decided it was finally time to ask Lee if I could participate on this board to share information with (and learn from) the great people here. I purchased this Batak keris a few months ago. Apparently, it was brought back from the Lake Toba area in the '70s. The blade is supposedly from the 17th century, although I don't know if I believe that. What do you guys think? Cheers Attached Images

25th June 2009, 02:37 PM	#2
harimauhk Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 88	A couple more pics... Attached Images

25th June 2009, 03:59 PM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	Another guilty party here too ! Attached Images

25th June 2009, 03:09 PM	#3
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Hello Harimauhk, Welcome to the forum. First thing, this thread is most appropriate in the Keris Warung Kopi, the keris forum. Moderators will quickly move it I imagine. Second thing is...sorry, you got snookered. This is a tourist keris-like object. The same thing happened with my very first "keris". A "lake Toba" example but with "gold" kinata. I was disgusted when I received it. Yours has solder applied to the surface to imitate pamor. Tough lesson but that's how it goes. Third thing...don't let this discourage you Take the time to read all of the material on this site, there's loads. Then you can purchase a real keris and go on from there. Regards, Emanuel

25th June 2009, 04:46 PM	#6
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	True David , but the rest is quite similar .

11th August 2024, 06:15 PM	#8
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	Hello Hugh and welcome to the forums. You have a real keris blade there, but I don't think you would see a person of the culture wearing this ensemble in public. As for 100 years that would be doubtful for the dress although I haven't seen many of this dress style in recent years. As far as the attribution you have been given on this piece goes; we have a saying here; "buy the keris not the story". We have a very large archive of keris related posts and there is a lot to be learned from doing a search by keyword there, and don't be shy about asking questions.

25th June 2009, 04:04 PM	#9
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,127	Welcome to the forum Harimauhk. I am afraid that Emmanuel is exactly right. This is a 20th century tourist object and it would be unfair to really call it a keris. I don't mean to be harsh, but it's just the facts. I think most of us have at some point in our collecting careers been taken in a similar matter. I hope it won't turn you off to collecting keris. They are indeed beautiful, wonderful and fascinating things. If you stick around this forum you will no doubt learn much from our large and knowledgeable membership and avoid such a mistake in the future.