Southeast Asia, Indonesia, ca. early 19th century CE. A kris (keris), with a narrow, banded blade and a smoothly carved handle and sheath. The grip is carved wood in an abstract zoomorphic form that looks like a bird or lizard and probably has some mythical elements. The sheath is made of beautifully polished dark wood, with a lighter wood upper portion that flares outward and curves up, mirroring the shape of the upper part of the kris blade. The double-sided blade shines with multi-colored bands of metal. Size without sheath: 26" L (66 cm); size with sheet: 29" L x 5.75" W (73.7 cm x 14.6 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, forms the blade from layers of different iron ores and meteorite nickel. In high quality ones, the metal is folded dozens or even hundreds of times. Kris were worn every day and in special ceremonies; both men and women wore them. They were passed down through families, and used for display, as talismans with magical powers, weapons, as accessories for ceremonial dress, and indicators of social status. Kris blades are narrow, with wide, symmetrical bases. The aesthetic value has three elements: dhapur, the shape and design of the blade, with 40 variants; pamor, the pattern of metal alloy decoration on the blade, with 120 variants; and tangguh, the age and origin of kris. In 2005, the kris became a UNESCO Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Provenance: private Rochester, Michigan, USA collection

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#123525

Small repair on the metal bead between the handle and blade.