Southeast Asia, Indonesia, ca. 19th century CE. One of the most beautiful krises we have seen, this elegant example features a large 94% pure silver overlaid on black water buffalo horn handle, a sinuously curving blade made of iron-nickel, and a sheath made of tortoise shell overlaid on wood. The handle is carved into the form of Hayagriva, a multi-armed, horse-headed avatar of the Hindu deity Lord Vishnu, worshiped as the god of wisdom and knowledge. The silver, laid in diamond-shaped panels over the carved horn and in a thick band around the base of the horn, has six cabochon rubies, three sapphires, and other assorted semi-precious stones and pieces of glass studded around it at intervals. Size: 7" W x 21.2" H (17.8 cm x 53.8 cm); size of largest rubies and sapphires is approximately 0.4" (1 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.
Please note that this item cannot be exported outside of the USA because of the tortoise shell on the sheath.
Provenance: private Rochester, Michigan, USA collection
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#149394
Condition
Tortoise shell sheath is in nice condition with some small scratches and fissures from age. The horn of the guard is slightly cracked. One of the silver panels is missing and a few others have been reattached. Rich patina on all surfaces.