Bali keris

Rick · 14th October 2011, 04:14 PM

I'm seeing lots of (forging ?) flaws on one side of the blade ...... or are they from rust ??

The piece does not look overly topographic as old Jawa keris often do from repeated washing and re-stain .

Puzzling .

David · 14th October 2011, 06:26 PM

Well, i think it's needs a good cleaning and stain to really be able to properly assess the blade. Dirt and rust can easily hide revisions to blade profile.
As for not having a topographic surface, it is present in Bali dress. I'm not convinced that the blade's origins are Bali, but if it has been kept as a Bali keris over the years it would probably have received the Balinese approach of keeping the blade polished smooth.

Rick · 15th October 2011, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

Well, i think it's needs a good cleaning and stain to really be able to properly assess the blade. Dirt and rust can easily hide revisions to blade profile.
As for not having a topographic surface, it is present in Bali dress. I'm not convinced that the blade's origins are Bali, but if it has been kept as a Bali keris over the years it would probably have received the Balinese approach of keeping the blade polished smooth.

Yes, it has not seen a lot of washing and was finished smooth; but why do we see such large cold shuts/forging flaws in a blade that appears so nicely carved at the sorsoran ?

Sajen · 15th October 2011, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

Yes, it has not seen a lot of washing and was finished smooth; but why do we see such large cold shuts/forging flaws in a blade that appears so nicely carved at the sorsoran ?

I have my doubts as well, the forging flaws let me think that the gandhik is a later addition.

Jean · 15th October 2011, 10:19 AM

What would Alan say about this blade? I am puzzled also, the carved motif is quite impressive and from the pictures I don't see clearly any sign of welding and the metal colour looks the same as the blade? The shape of the ganja does not look Javanese?

A. G. Maisey · 15th October 2011, 10:34 AM

Jean, Alan would prefer not to comment.

Everything you need to know is sitting right there in front of you, just look carefully and think.

drdavid · 15th October 2011, 12:11 PM

Hi all
to my eye there is a clear differential line in the metal around the figural elements suggesting a piece has been welded in. The line I have drawn surrounds the area I would regard as suspect but is not actually on what I would think is the weld line. Also the metal close to the gonjo shows what appears to be some 'blistering'. The discoloring around the figural elements also suggests heating to me. I wonder if the splits/delamination are also because a piece has been welded in and the surrounding metal stressed but I have no understanding of metalwork so this is pure speculation.
drdavid

15th October 2011, 12:11 PM	#7
drdavid Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 372	Hi all to my eye there is a clear differential line in the metal around the figural elements suggesting a piece has been welded in. The line I have drawn surrounds the area I would regard as suspect but is not actually on what I would think is the weld line. Also the metal close to the gonjo shows what appears to be some 'blistering'. The discoloring around the figural elements also suggests heating to me. I wonder if the splits/delamination are also because a piece has been welded in and the surrounding metal stressed but I have no understanding of metalwork so this is pure speculation. drdavid Attached Images

14th October 2011, 04:14 PM	#1
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	I'm seeing lots of (forging ?) flaws on one side of the blade ...... or are they from rust ?? The piece does not look overly topographic as old Jawa keris often do from repeated washing and re-stain . Puzzling .

14th October 2011, 06:26 PM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,219	Well, i think it's needs a good cleaning and stain to really be able to properly assess the blade. Dirt and rust can easily hide revisions to blade profile. As for not having a topographic surface, it is present in Bali dress. I'm not convinced that the blade's origins are Bali, but if it has been kept as a Bali keris over the years it would probably have received the Balinese approach of keeping the blade polished smooth.

15th October 2011, 10:19 AM	#5
Jean Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,740	What would Alan say about this blade? I am puzzled also, the carved motif is quite impressive and from the pictures I don't see clearly any sign of welding and the metal colour looks the same as the blade? The shape of the ganja does not look Javanese?

15th October 2011, 10:34 AM	#6
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,019	Jean, Alan would prefer not to comment. Everything you need to know is sitting right there in front of you, just look carefully and think.