Southeast Asia, Indonesia, ca. first half of the 20th century CE. A beautiful example of a personal ceremonial sword known as a kris (keris). The wooden handle bears a pair of anthropomorphic maskettes along the interior curve and rests above a brass spacer ring inset with several faceted glass cabochons. The forged-steel blade exhibits a gentle serpentine profile and has a pointed hand guard projecting from above the shoulder. The carved wooden sheath has a gorgeous guard protector with chocolate and caramel veining, and the blade housing is fitted with a removable brass sheath jacket adorned with intricate foliate motifs in repousse. Size (w/ sheath): 7.75" W x 21.25" H (19.7 cm x 54 cm); (blade): 17.125" L (43.5 cm)
Provenance: private Rochester, Michigan, USA collection
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance),
we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#138015
Condition
Sheath jacket is removable. Small area of loss to lowest tip of wooden blade housing. Light abrasions and nicks to wooden blade housing and blade, with light oxidation to blade. Nice patina to wooden components.