Southeast Asia, Indonesia, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A nice example of a ceremonial sword known as a kris (also keris) covered in rich patina. The hand-carved handle bears a pair of abstract anthropomorphic maskettes along the interior curve, and the silvered copper spacer disc has an attractive granulated motif. The forged-steel blade exhibits a straight profile with a projecting hand guard as well as mottled ribbons of lighter nickel hammered into the surfaces. The wooden sheath features a bulbous guard protector and a slender blade housing, and a silvered copper sheath jacket is adorned on one side with dense foliage motifs in repousse; a line of illegible black text is written on the verso of the guard protector. Size (w/ sheath): 5.8" W x 19.5" H (14.7 cm x 49.5 cm); (blade): 14.4" L x 2.9" W (36.6 cm x 7.4 cm)

Provenance: private Rochester, Michigan, USA collection

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#137950

Sheath jacket is removable from blade housing. Text on verso of guard protector is illegible. Wooden handle is perhaps a modern replacement to the original handle. Minor oxidation to blade, with small indentations to repousse motifs on sheath jacket. Great patina throughout.