20th C. Indonesian Silver & Steel Kris w/ Scabbard

Southeast Asia, Indonesia, ca. early to mid 20th century CE. A beautiful ceremonial sword called a kris (also keris) with a carved wooden handle and an undulating forged-steel blade. This type of steel is known as "watered" or "wootz" and has a stunning rippling effect from the nickel. Two shallow fuller groves snake down the blade to the flared hand guard that is beautifully decorated with a gilt vegetal motif. A stylized demon or Barong face with open jaws and pointed teeth is situated just below the guard on the blade. Above is a silver spacer bulb that is inset with red and translucent faceted zircon stones. The hand-carved wooden handle features a pair of abstract anthropomorphic maskettes along the interior curve. The wooden sheath is composed of a dramatic guard protector as well as a blade housing protected by a silver sheath jacket. The jacket has two wings at the top and a lattice work relief pattern and a monstrous face with a bulbous nose and bared teeth at the tip. Size of blade: 14.5" L x 3.5" W (36.8 cm x 8.9 cm); in sheath: 20.375" L x 8" W (51.8 cm x 20.3 cm); quality of silver: 92.5% to 97%; quality of gold: 23% to 69%

Provenance: private Rochester, Michigan, USA collection

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#149477
Condition Report: Spacer bulb is slightly loose. Chips to wooden handguard. Otherwise excellent condition.