Silver Keris

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

My question is this:-

were the keris in this exhibition accompanied by reliable provenance?

Hello Alan,

Kai has already said what I can say but like Kai I will try to get further informations.

Regards,
Detlef

[A. G. Maisey]

Thank you Detlef.

[mariusgmioc]

As I said earlier, I find the hilt absolutely fascinating but... so much similar to the style of the famous Milanese armourer Filippo Negroli.

Besides, I find strange I haven't seen any hilt in this style anywhere in Indonesia (and I have visited quite a few museums and collections there) and then, they suddenly pop up in European collections.

Could it be that the hilt comes from an Italian or German workshop?

[Roland_M]

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

As I said earlier, I find the hilt absolutely fascinating but... so much similar to the style of the famous Milanese armourer Filippo Negroli.

Could it be that the hilt comes from an Italian or German workshop?

Hello Marius,

thank you for your comment. All I can say is that despite its shape, the hilt is very ergonomic, which is typical for Indonesia.

The only thing on the hilt which is traditional are the decorations on the base of the hilt. If the hilt would be from Europe, it normallly got a stamp and or signature. So I think the complete Keris has been made in Indonesia.

The silver-work on the scabbard is of very high quality but compared to the scabbard in the added picture it is just average.

If you think, you have a top grade item, there is always a better one .


Best wishes,
Roland

p.s. please dont tell anyone from this picture, it is top secret

[mariusgmioc]

Originally Posted by Roland_M

Hello Marius,

All I can say is that despite its shape, the hilt is very ergonomic, which is typical for Indonesia.

The only thing on the hilt which is traditional are the decorations on the base of the hilt. If the hilt would be from Europe, it normallly got a stamp and or signature. So I think the complete Keris has been made in Indonesia.

Hello Roland,

I am not so sure ergonomics can be seen as a criteria specific to Indonesia. I have seen European silver handles for walking sticks that are quite ergonomic and some were unmarked.

Anyhow, it certainly is the work of a very skilled silversmith.

Regards,

Marius

[David]

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

Could it be that the hilt comes from an Italian or German workshop?

Well. personally i have little doubt this silverwork is Balinese. The questions for me are more about timeframe than location. Balinese silversmiths are renown for their skills. They are also quite good at picking up and mimicking the styles. While i do see what you see that seems to show a European influence i would think that just "influence" is as far as that goes.