Keris Identification please

[A. G. Maisey]

Batik is a process for dying cloth, the keris community in Jawa has borrowed it, more or less sarcastically, to apply to these acid etched patterns on blades.

This explanation of the process for making Batik Tulis is as good as any, & understanding how it works with cloth helps in understanding how the pattern is produced in metal.

https://australian.museum/learn/cult...batik-process/

[jagabuwana]

Hello Alan, is something like this typically done in order to make the keris more appealing for resale?

[ASPaulding]

Originally Posted by jagabuwana

Hello Alan, is something like this typically done in order to make the keris more appealing for resale?

I still havn't came across another example that has something like this done to the blade. I have seen many examples of art done on fabric by the batik process. I assume it is to raise the value. I wonder if it really stands out if warangan is applied? Hopefully somebody will chime in.

[A. G. Maisey]

Yes Jaga, a lot, but not all of these "enhancements" to older keris are simply to make an old, unattractive, difficult to sell blade more marketable.

But this "batik" thing they used to do although it might have had a plus effect 80 or 100 years ago, has a minus effect now. I've seen a very, very few that have been well done and really have looked pretty good, but most have been outright ugly.

I'd put money on it, that if this blade had been left alone and not fiddled with, its market value now would be 20 times what it is in its present condition.

It will still be 100% visible after a blade stain, but honestly, I would not waste time or money on this blade.

[ASPaulding]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

an old, unattractive, difficult to sell blade more marketable.

It will still be 100% visible after a blade stain, but honestly, I would not waste time or money on this blade.

It is a shame somebody would ruin a perfectly good antique blade. I understand it is not worth the attempt to stain. I will chalk this up to a learning experience. I will at least still enjoy the history it had before it became worthless...

[A. G. Maisey]

The wrongko looks OK, and the hilt is usable, keep your eyes open for an orphan blade and you might be able to do a rebuild.

[Jean]

This blade probably uses the same process but it was well made.
Regards

[jagabuwana]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Yes Jaga, a lot, but not all of these "enhancements" to older keris are simply to make an old, unattractive, difficult to sell blade more marketable.

But this "batik" thing they used to do although it might have had a plus effect 80 or 100 years ago, has a minus effect now. I've seen a very, very few that have been well done and really have looked pretty good, but most have been outright ugly.

I'd put money on it, that if this blade had been left alone and not fiddled with, its market value now would be 20 times what it is in its present condition.

It will still be 100% visible after a blade stain, but honestly, I would not waste time or money on this blade.

Thank you Alan.

I agree that it's market value now would be decent had it not been fiddled. There seems to be a healthy appetite to pay good money for blades with 'older' classifications like Paja and its variants.

[A. G. Maisey]

Yes, you're right Jaga, & often that enthusiasm for attributed age is misdirected. Leaving to one side the archaic kerises, like KB's, the value of other keris depends on much more than just age, quality & condition are extremely important.

[jagabuwana]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Yes, you're right Jaga, & often that enthusiasm for attributed age is misdirected. Leaving to one side the archaic kerises, like KB's, the value of other keris depends on much more than just age, quality & condition are extremely important.

Yes I understand, Alan. My observation is that the enthusiasm seems to be because old is associated with being more authentic than more recent productions, or having more power. At least that's how I used to think when I was very new to all of this.

Sadly I think this works all too well for dealers without scruples.