Introducing...

BluErf · 28th August 2009, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

I think i can safely say it is ivory Dr. D. I can see the grain patterns in the photos. I would say that they did a very nice job adding age color to this piece. Do you know what they used Kai Wee?
Marco, why do you think this is a Madura hilt?

Tumeric!

I have no idea why they stain it... maybe to make it look warmer. Anyway, as mentioned in the 1st post, this piece is contemporary (i.e. current period).

David · 28th August 2009, 04:57 AM

i'm pretty sure they stain it to give it a look of aged ivory.

KuKulzA28 · 28th August 2009, 07:23 AM

That is amazing. I may be an enthusiast of the swords of China, the simple and brutal machete-like blades of the archipelago, and the close quarters weapons of India.... but when I see something like this, I can see how there is more to a keris than a mystical, pointy dagger. Dagger-type side-arms don't need a hilt like that, keris do. I hope you hold onto that. It's a treasure and an antique of tomorrow's.

BluErf · 28th August 2009, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

i'm pretty sure they stain it to give it a look of aged ivory.

Yes, and that too...

Haha

But I have heard that at least in Sumatra and N Malay peninsula, some hilts were traditionally stained when newly made, to impart the desired colour. For e.g. tajong hilts may be stained black to look more aggressive, Sumatran ivory hilts may be stained dark brown, possibly for aesthetic reasons, and some of these hilts have lost their dark stain over time.

28th August 2009, 04:57 AM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,237	i'm pretty sure they stain it to give it a look of aged ivory.

28th August 2009, 07:23 AM	#3
KuKulzA28 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: between work and sleep Posts: 731	That is amazing. I may be an enthusiast of the swords of China, the simple and brutal machete-like blades of the archipelago, and the close quarters weapons of India.... but when I see something like this, I can see how there is more to a keris than a mystical, pointy dagger. Dagger-type side-arms don't need a hilt like that, keris do. I hope you hold onto that. It's a treasure and an antique of tomorrow's.