Willem, I have interpolated my response:-
- KRATON keris :
not likely
AGREED
- KRATON gift :
could be, as some kraton gifts can be of low quality and many can claim royalty
AGREED
- GOOD FORGING proven by balance of the keris :
No relation between balance and good forging. it is more about center of gravity. (PS, I tried to balance my Zwilling kitchenknife. it was very difficult, altough it really does the job in the kitchen)
YES, THE KERIS BALANCING THING IS A PARTY TRICK, ABSOLUTELY NO PROOF OF ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE QUALITY OF THE KERIS
- GOOD FIT of the keris in Scabbard :
No, not really a good fit. Might be due to the replaced gonjo.
FROM MY PERSPECTIVE THE FIT OF AN OLD KERIS TO AN OLD SCABBARD IS NOT REALLY ALL THAT IMPORTANT. YES, I KNOW I'M VOICING A DIFFERENT OPINION TO THAT OF MANY VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE COLLECTORS LIVING OUTSIDE INDONESIA. PLEASE ACCEPT MY APOLOGIES.
I'M NOT GOING USE THE SPACE NEEDED TO SUPPORT WHAT I HAVE JUST WRITTEN, BUT THE PRIMARY ARGUMENT THAT ITS ALL ABOUT THE MAN, NOT THE CLOTHES HE'S WEARING.
- ROYAL FAMILY CREST on pendok :
A not recognisable crest and a very common decoration.
YES
- RED CLOTH insertion in the pendok claiming kraton use :
Not true, kraton use would mean red paint. cloth can be inserted at any time.
TRUE, BUT RED IN THIS CONTEXT COULD BE READ AS AN INDICATOR OF RANK. I AM NOT SAYING IT IS, I AM SAYING IT IS POSSIBLE
- SELUT :
1970's selut, a bit strange on a keris claimed to be mid 19th cent.
YES
- UNIQUE MENDAK with the name of the banker :
No firm answer on this one, but personally I think this was part of some office utensil. maybe a stamp combined with upper and lower part of a mendak.
POSSIBLY
Somebody bought a poor keris with a rich story.
YEAH --- WELL YOU KNOW WHAT WE SAY ABOUT THAT. NO NEED TO REPEAT IT.
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