Southeast Asia, Indonesia, ca. 20th century CE. A pale wooden kris handle attached to a uniquely-shaped kris - the blade itself starts wide and rapidly dwindles to almost nothing but a sinuous line, ending in a small arrow. The wooden sheath is covered with a thin sheet of brass that has been cut into openwork motifs of elephants, serpents, and flowers. The handle is abstractly anthropomorphic, with what looks like faces on its inner curve. Burled wood forms the elaborate guard; between it and the handle are a ring of nine white sapphires. Size of sword without sheath: 19.45" L x 3.4" W (49.4 cm x 8.6 cm); with sheath: 20.2" (51.3 cm); sapphires measure ~ 1/8" in diameter (.32 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 2005, the kris became a UNESCO Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection

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#124727

One sapphire is missing. Some wear to the wood, including a chip from the guard and two areas where the wood finish has rubbed away. Slight patina on the sheath and handle.