**First Time At Auction**

Southeast Asia, Indonesia, probably Bali, ca. 20th century CE. A striking kris and sheath adorned with lustrous silver and precious rubies with an intricately carved wooden hilt of a demon and a gracefully undulating blade of an iron. Gazing outward from bulging eyes, the fierce demon wears an elaborate headdress with the head of a bird projecting from the verso. His throne sits atop a silver band of 8 inlaid rubies with a nickel silver bauble of glass bezels separating him from the blade. The gently oscillating blade is nicely complemented by spiraling veins of nickel that accentuate its curves, as well as the decorative edge near the hilt, all protected by the dark wood sheath, enveloped in ornate silver repousse of vegetal motifs and 2 prominent inlaid rubies. Size with sheath: 23.4" L x 4.4" W (59.4 cm x 11.2 cm); without sheath: 19.6" L x 3.2" W (49.8 cm x 8.1 cm); of blade only: 14.5" L x 3.2" W (36.8 cm x 8.1 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.

Provenance: private New Haven, Connecticut, 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.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#176151

Indentations and a few stable hairline fissures to sheath. Loosening to bauble between blade and hilt, and some light abrasions commensurate with age. Otherwise, intact and excellent with patina throughout.