Indonesian kris blade with scabbard, in custom plexiglass box. 

Condition: Cleaned by a conservator. Treated with rust-inhibiting oil.

Size (Case): 16 1/4 x 22 1/4 in.

#7288 . 

The kris or keris is an Indonesian asymmetrical dagger with a distinctive blade pattern achieved through alternating laminations of iron and nickelous iron (pamor). The kris is famous for its distinctive wavy blade, and is one of the weapons commonly used in the pencak silat martial art native to Indonesia. Kris have been produced in many regions of Indonesia for centuries, and is embedded in ritual acts, ceremonies, mythical backgrounds and epic poetry throughout the region’s history. It is important to every ethnic group in the islands, as well as a cultural symbol in neighboring countries like Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. A kris can be divided into three parts: blade (bilah or wilah), hilt (hulu), and sheath (warangka). Each part of the kris is considered a piece of art, often carved in meticulous detail and made from various materials including metal, precious or rare types of wood, and gold or ivory. A kris’s aesthetic value is ascertained by the dhapur (the form and design of the blade, with around 60 known variants), the pamor (the pattern of metal alloy decoration on the blade, with around 250 known variants), and tangguh, which refers to the age and origin of a kris. Both a weapon and spiritual object, kris are considered to have their own personalities, believed to possess magical powers, and to bring good or bad luck, depending on their history and prior usage. Kris are used for display, as protective talismans, sanctified heirlooms (pusaka), auxiliary equipment for court soldiers, an accessory for ceremonial dress, an indicator of social status, a symbol of heroism, and (much less so by the late 20th Century) a deadly weapon. Legendary kris that possess supernatural power and extraordinary ability were mentioned in traditional folktales, such as those of Empu Gandring, Taming Sari, and Setan Kober.

Cleaned by a conservator. Treated with rust-inhibiting oil.