Southeast Asia, Indonesia, ca. 19th century CE. A forged-steel executioner's kris bearing a blade that is much longer than typical kris examples. With lustrous surfaces and deep brown color, the blade exhibits a bifacial design with sharpened edges, a gentle midrib, and a pointed tip, all beneath a separately attached hand guard. Fitted on the tang is a hand-carved wooden hilt featuring a finely detailed Naga with a scaled serpentine body and a massive head with bulging eyes, projecting flames, and rows of massive teeth. Between the blade guard and handle is a cup-shaped brass spacer that provides a pop of golden color. Size (w/ handle): 3.1" W x 26" H (7.9 cm x 66 cm); (blade): 21.1" L x 3.1" W (53.6 cm x 7.9 cm)

Provenance: ex-Provos collection, Bremen, Germany, acquired prior to 1990

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#170106

Slight bending along lower third of blade towards tip, with minor abrasions to blade and spacer disc, and a few stable hairline fissures and petite chips to handle, otherwise intact and excellent. Great patina with smooth surfaces throughout. Blade edges are still relatively sharp.