Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Java, Surakarta, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. Inscribed "PBX" in gold on tang. An attractive forged-carbon steel kris (keris), a personal ceremonial sword used throughout Indonesia, with a wooden sheath and a nickel iron alloy sheath guard. The hand-carved wooden handle features a stylized anthropomorphic maskette along the interior curve, as well as an intricately carved abstract border near the top, and a decorative silver spacer cap rests beneath. The forged carbon-steel blade has a straight profile, a projecting hand guard along the shoulder, and strands of lighter material woven in to create an attractive swirling pattern. The wooden sheath is composed of a guard protector as well as a blade housing protected by a removable nickel iron alloy sheath jacket. The letters "PBX" can be found inscribed in gold on the tang when you remove the sheath. These letters indicate that this kris was either owned by Pakubuwono X (1866 to 1939), the Susuhunan (monarch) of Surakarta from 1893 to 1939, or by a member of his royal court. The lovely weapon is accompanied a cloth case, boasting a red velveteen exterior embellished with gold-hued glass beaded pattern surrounding the letters M and N, which stand for "Mahkota Negara" or "National Crown" in Indonesian. Size (of kris): 6.5" W x 20.25" H (16.5 cm x 51.4 cm); Size (of blade): 15" H (38.1 cm); Size (of case): 10.5" W x 21.25" H (26.7 cm x 54 cm)

Provenance: private Rochester, Michigan, USA collection

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#137937

Collection label on sheath jacket. Hilt and spacer are removable from blade. Sheath jacket removable from sheath. Minor losses to periphery of handguard. Losses to nickel iron alloy on sheath jacket with one perforation through to wood. Otherwise, very nice with lovely patina.