Keris from Bali are considered some of the finest among the Indonesianarchipelago. As Bali is a Hindu society, the influences on the keris have survived theIslamicization of form and design found elsewhere in the region, with some exceptions. As aresult, Balinese keris often sport hilts carved with richly designed Hindu deities in much morerealistic manner than the more the stylized interpretations found in other parts of the region, suchas the highly stylized Garuda imagery of the Bugis or Sumatra. Other forms of hilts are moresimple and would be used by the warrior class and commoners such as a planar form calleddanganan bebondolan (weaver bird) named for the resemblance to the common bondol, orweaver bird. The blade of the keris is considered to represent a serpent and likely reflects thenaga of Hindu mythology, guardian of the earth's treasures, and which can be found on somekeris blades carved into the base. When the blade is straight such as this example, the serpent isat rest. Since the earthly serpent is formed of meteoric metal in the pamor of the keris blade, thekeris is considered to fuse the heavenly and earthly.The belief system surrounding the keris is complex and multifaceted. Each keris is believed tohave its own spirit, reflected by the blade shape and the individual pamor. It was consideredimportant for a prospective owner to acquire a keris whose spiritual persona was compatible withhis own. Only then could the weapon's mystical powers be used to his advantage. A keris couldhelp keep disease away, ease the pain of childbirth, prevent quarrels, ensure victory in battle,extinguish fires and deter attacks by wild animals. As a result, many keris were kept as familyheirlooms called pusaka.This example in the Schmiedt Collection is a good representation of a classic Balinese form.This hilt called the danganan cecekahan in carved wood with a thick striation, considered anauspicious and desirable feature. The form of hilt classicaly Balinese in execution but thececekan form hilt is originally from Java and can be found primarily on Javanese keris. Thecrosspiece of the sheath in the form called batun poh, or mango seed. The pamor is a rare formcalled udan mas with circular designs in a twisted form up the blade called pamor pluntiran.Overall late 19th to early 20th century.Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 27 1/4" Blade Length : 17 1/2" References:1. Frey, E. (1988) The Kris: Mystic Weapon of the Malay World. Oxford University Press.2. Mardianto, W. A to Z â€â€œ Sesuatu mengenai KERIS dan TOMBAK KERIS â€â€œ SENJATATRADISIONAL INDONESIA A to Z3. Ki Empu Jhuel. Pamor Keris4. Ghiringelli. V. (2007) The Invincible Krises 2. Saviolo Publisher5. Van Zonneveld, A.G. (2001) Traditional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago.Leiden: Art Books6. Gardner, G.B. (2009) Keris and other Malay Weapons. Orchid Press7. Weihrauch, A., Kloubert, U. and Aljunied, A. (2017)The Gods & the Forge: BalineseCeremonial Blades- The Gods & the Forge in a Cultural Context. IFICAH8. Neka, W. S. (2014) Understanding Balinese Keris: An Insiders Perspective. Neka ArtMuseumDetailed condition reports are not included in this catalog. For additional information, including condition reports, please contact us at info@sofedesignauctions.com