Lot 143D
Southeast Asia, Indonesia, ca. early 20th century CE. A kris (sometimes keris), with a sinuously curving blade in two tones of metal and an intricately carved handle, with both the top of the blade and the guard studded with twenty five diamonds and approximately forty white sapphires. The grip is carved wood with delicate zoomorphic faces at its lower end and under the curve of its hilt. The sheath, which may be slightly newer than the weapon based on patina, is highly polished wood with an applied aluminum and brass sheet decorated with relief-carved vines and leaves and approximately sixty white sapphires. The double-sided blade itself on this particular kris is incredible - multi-colored bands of metal. Size with sheath on: 20.5" L x 9.2" W (52.1 cm x 23.4 cm)
The kris 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. Kris 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. Kris 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 kris. In 2005, the kris became a UNESCO Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
Provenance: private Rochester, Michigan, USA collection
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#126458
- Condition: Comes in a protective velvet case. Sheath surface has tarnish and wood has a single crack near the top that makes it slightly loose. The kris handle has light patina, as does the silver surface just above the guard and on the guard.
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