**First Time At Auction**

Southeast Asia, Indonesia, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. An incredibly ornate and quite opulent kris and sheath adorned with inlaid high-quality (99%) repousse silver and rubies, as well as meticulously carved wooden relief decoration. The figural hilt presents in the form of a rakshasa demon with a round belly and a fierce, zoomorphic visage surrounded by a lush mane as he holds a weapon in each hand. A maskette of another demon is carved in relief on the sheath, below scrolling vegetal motifs with a silver clad backing and tip bearing 3 cabochon rubies. 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. Size with hilt: 8.8" W x 24.7" H (22.4 cm x 62.7 cm); without sheath: 4" W x 21.3" H (10.2 cm x 54.1 cm); of blade only: 3.8" W x 16.8" H (9.7 cm x 42.7 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

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#176177

Professional repair to sheath with break line visible. Light surface wear as shown, but otherwise intact and excellent with nice remaining detail and patina.