Mystery and very interesting keris hilt

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

David, I'm reading that light area as greyish wood caused by age and dirt. I feel that if this was brushed lightly and repeatedly with baby oil, with good hot-hand rubbings in between you'd have something that looked a lot different.
As to age, I would not place it in the post WWII period. Wood that has not been subjected to sunlight can be very, very deceptive.

You meet the point! The hilt have had a thick dirt patination, when I received it the carving was not visible. The hilt get a cleaning and a brush with a wood oil. The hilt is placed inside a cabinet but with the years the carved out areas get this colour. It is out of question, this hilt have a good age, maybe not antique but old.