Lot 45
Indonesia, ca. 20th century CE. This is a keris (kris), with a narrow, sinuously curving blade and an intricately carved handle and scabbard ("wrongko"). The grip is carved wood; the guard is highly polished wood with an applied metal sheet decorated with relief-carved vines and leaves. The scabbard has a similar Gandar chased silver design (like repousse) over wood and an anchor-shaped tip. The double-sided blade itself on this particular keris is incredible -- multi-colored bands of metal. The keris is both a weapon and a spiritual object. The oldest known are from the 10th century CE; they are thought to have originated on the island of Java. The bladesmith, called an empu, formed the blade from layers of different iron ores and meteorite nickel. In high quality ones, the metal is folded dozens or even hundreds of times in the same process as making Damascus steel. Keris were worn every day and in special ceremonies; both men and women wear them. They were passed down through families. They were used for display, as talismans with magical powers, and weapons, and as heirlooms, as accessories for ceremonial dress, and indicators of social status. Keris blades are narrow, with wide, symmetrical bases. The aesthetic value has three elements: dhapur, the shape and design of the blade, with 40 variants; pamor, the pattern of metal alloy decoration on the blade, with 120 variants; and tangguh, the age and origin of keris. In 2005, the keris became a UNESCO Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. The pamor of this keris is karawelang- Pendok; the handle is from Sumatra in the style of Jawa Demam Sakit. Size: 19-1/2"L x 5-1/2"W (49.5 cm x 14 cm).
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#110899
- Condition: Intact, all artwork clear, in excellent condition.
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| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,000 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $25,000 |