Gavin Nugent

The good, the bad and the ugly...

I have no idea what I have here. Its been with me for years and came from an old French collection and if I recall correctly, in totally busted, what I thought was old Sulawesi dress with only the ivory hulu worth saving.

I suspect Java origins as many a Sulawesi Keris follow these routes.

All I know is that it is Luk five, Gonjo Iras and I suspect gandhik Kikik, although from the representation having engraved surfaces, it may fall under another name? It feels to have quite some age to it... how much eludes me.

Any direction, questions or input are most welcome.

And yes, it will be cleaned and restored :-)

Gavin

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David

I like to hear what others have to say, but i don't think this looks Javanese.

Jean

I agree with David, a very rustic but interesting piece of probably Bugis origin and with some age?

Marcokeris

unusual and interesting indeed

A. G. Maisey

Would it be possible to take shot looking down directly on to the top of the gonjo?

I'd like to see the gonjo top, end to end. Best way to do this is to use a camera, not a phone or ipad or whatever and look straight down onto the top of the pesi.

Is the blade laminated?

Is the gonjo integral with the blade or is it separate and mechanically fixed?

Would it be possible to clean up the singo barong, maybe water and detergent, dry it brush well with oil so that we can see the surface detail on the figure.

How long is it?

Gavin Nugent

Alan,

Images as request, I hope they suffice.

In answer to your questions;

I am unsure if the blade is laminated.
At first I suspected it was cast steel, not forged. Then, under magnification there are misleading longitudinal lines that have me at somewhat of an "oh maybe it is forged"?
I feel only a thorough clean would reveal the true nature.
Further to this, the pitting seen within the "patina" seems to me more of a result of casting than natural wear or ritual cleaning... but saying that, incorrect storage does strange things as does the vast varieties of metals, metal mixtures and complexities of Keris manufacture, I just don't know...

The gonjo is definitely integral.

I've done the best I can for now with revealing detail on the Singa.

Gavin

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David

It's a very interesting blade. Cleaned up and shot from more angles i still din't think it's Javanese, but perhaps Alan knows better.

Anthony G.

Could it be Sumatra area?

A. G. Maisey

Thanks Gavin.

I have never seen anything like it.

I do not know what it is or where it is from.

There is too much variation in detail for it to have originated from Jawa or Bali.