Keris for consideration

A. G. Maisey · 2nd June 2023, 02:09 AM

Just a guess Rick, but I think maybe something like some sort of epoxy mixed with sawdust?

Gustav · 2nd June 2023, 02:52 PM

I agree, Sampir could have had agressive sanding. I cannot recognise it as antique by details of carving (and/or patina).

Hilt cup is close to an old form, of which I too have seen some examples.

Regarding Gonjo - I also am not particularly interested in Keris from South Sulawesi, or, as it might be with this Keris, perhaps even "Tangguh Kupang", but the examples I have seen so far normally don't have Gonjo made from differently looking material.
One more detail - Jenggot has a comparatively well preserved Dha. It is normal even for this kind of Keris to have similarly carved Dha on Rondha Nunut and Greneng. Dha on Rondha Nunut is quite eroded, we actually see only the very bottom of it (if there is something from original Dha left at all)- so definitely material has been lost at Wadidang.
In that case Greneng on Gonjo is not simply eroded, it is made to match the already eroded Dha of Rondha Nunut - or Dha on RN was recut together with the Dha on Gonjo.

SidJ · 2nd June 2023, 09:28 PM

A bit of context may help. This keris was not sold by a keris seller. It was one of a bunch of Asian daggers sold at auction. Its merits or flaws were not stated. It was just a keris among other far more illustrous companions. It came from a dead western collector who was primarily s gun collector. I dont think the scabbard has been sanded or finished any differently to other ones I have. At least I cant tell by looking at it closely. There was nothing riding on this keris. I dont think anyone tarted it up to sell. The blade had old surface rust on it which I removed. I oiled the wood parts to freshen up the dull wood. I think its an honest piece with no shenanigans or scurrillous behaviour designed to boost value. Begs the question why anyone would go to such great lengths as surmised to repair what to me is fairly average keris. Cost vs benefit and all that...

kai · 3rd June 2023, 08:15 AM

Hello Sid,

Thanks for the background!

Quote:

A bit of context may help. This keris was not sold by a keris seller. It was one of a bunch of Asian daggers sold at auction. Its merits or flaws were not stated. It was just a keris among other far more illustrous companions. It came from a dead western collector who was primarily s gun collector. I dont think the scabbard has been sanded or finished any differently to other ones I have. At least I cant tell by looking at it closely. There was nothing riding on this keris. I dont think anyone tarted it up to sell. The blade had old surface rust on it which I removed. I oiled the wood parts to freshen up the dull wood. I think its an honest piece with no shenanigans or scurrillous behaviour designed to boost value. Begs the question why anyone would go to such great lengths as surmised to repair what to me is fairly average keris. Cost vs benefit and all that...

I'd guess that the deceased collector acquired these pieces in a similar condition as you received them. Many collectors keep acquiring pieces and the last replacements/refurbishments which we have been pointing out may very well be several decades old.

This is not a bad keris and many collectors have examples with similar repairs/etc. in their collections.

Regards,
Kai

A. G. Maisey · 3rd June 2023, 08:36 AM

Thank you for your further comment Gustav.

2nd June 2023, 02:52 PM	#2
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,295	I agree, Sampir could have had agressive sanding. I cannot recognise it as antique by details of carving (and/or patina). Hilt cup is close to an old form, of which I too have seen some examples. Regarding Gonjo - I also am not particularly interested in Keris from South Sulawesi, or, as it might be with this Keris, perhaps even "Tangguh Kupang", but the examples I have seen so far normally don't have Gonjo made from differently looking material. One more detail - Jenggot has a comparatively well preserved Dha. It is normal even for this kind of Keris to have similarly carved Dha on Rondha Nunut and Greneng. Dha on Rondha Nunut is quite eroded, we actually see only the very bottom of it (if there is something from original Dha left at all)- so definitely material has been lost at Wadidang. In that case Greneng on Gonjo is not simply eroded, it is made to match the already eroded Dha of Rondha Nunut - or Dha on RN was recut together with the Dha on Gonjo. Attached Images Last edited by Gustav; 2nd June 2023 at 03:27 PM.

2nd June 2023, 02:09 AM	#1
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,085	Just a guess Rick, but I think maybe something like some sort of epoxy mixed with sawdust?

2nd June 2023, 09:28 PM	#3
SidJ Member Join Date: Apr 2020 Posts: 233	A bit of context may help. This keris was not sold by a keris seller. It was one of a bunch of Asian daggers sold at auction. Its merits or flaws were not stated. It was just a keris among other far more illustrous companions. It came from a dead western collector who was primarily s gun collector. I dont think the scabbard has been sanded or finished any differently to other ones I have. At least I cant tell by looking at it closely. There was nothing riding on this keris. I dont think anyone tarted it up to sell. The blade had old surface rust on it which I removed. I oiled the wood parts to freshen up the dull wood. I think its an honest piece with no shenanigans or scurrillous behaviour designed to boost value. Begs the question why anyone would go to such great lengths as surmised to repair what to me is fairly average keris. Cost vs benefit and all that...

3rd June 2023, 08:36 AM	#5
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,085	Thank you for your further comment Gustav.