Southeast Asia, Indonesia, ca. mid-20th century CE. A lovely personal ceremonial sword known as a kris (also keris). The hand-carved wooden handle has a pair of abstract anthropomorphic maskettes along the interior curve, and a copper alloy spacer disc beneath is adorned with 10 faceted glass cabochons. The forged-steel blade features sharpened edges and ribbons of lighter nickel, and a finely detailed Naga near the hand guard is accentuated by the blade's serpentine profile. The wooden sheath features a bulbous, sweeping guard protector and a tapered blade housing, and a brass sheath jacket is embellished with foliage motifs in repousse along the side with the vertical opening. Size (w/ sheath): 8.25" W x 19.8" H (21 cm x 50.3 cm); (blade): 14.625" L x 3.25" W (37.1 cm x 8.3 cm)
Provenance: private Rochester, Michigan, USA collection
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#138003
Condition
Sheath jacket is removable from blade housing. Minor oxidation and nicks to blade, with softening to some finer details of Naga serpent, otherwise intact and very good. Great patina throughout.