Southeast Asia, Indonesia, ca. first half of the 20th century CE. A fine example of a personal ceremonial sword known as a kris (keris) with a hand-carved wooden handle and sheath. The handle displays a pair of abstract anthropomorphic maskettes along the interior curve and rests above a 78.4% silver spacer disc. The blade bears a relatively straight profile with an indentation along the shoulder, a projecting guard, and integral ribbons of lighter nickel. The wooden sheath features a bulbous guard protector as well as a slender blade housing, and the lacquered wood sheath jacket is inset with an openwork nickel-brass panel replete with dense foliate motifs. Size (w/ sheath): 6.1" W x 19.2" H (15.5 cm x 48.8 cm); (blade): 14.7" L (37.3 cm); silver quality (spacer disc): 78.4%
Provenance: private Rochester, Michigan, USA collection, acquired in October 2001
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#149485
Condition
Sheath jacket is removable, however nickel-brass panel is loose when jacket is removed. Chipping to dark lacquer on sheath, with minor abrasions to blade and handle, otherwise intact and very good. Great patina throughout.