Bali / Indonesian Native Kris Dagger With Antique Ivory Hilt, Hand Forged Acid W Kris Dagger With Antique Ivory Hilt, Hand Forged Acid Wash Blade, Antique Ivory Other Blades

Late Victorian/ Edwardian Era Bali / Indonesian Native Kris Dagger With Antique Ivory Hilt, Hand Forged Acid Wash Blade, Antique Ivory Scabbard & Antique Ivory Chop Sticks / Hair Tools Mounted On Period Hand Carved Grotesque Murti Vengeful God Stand. - 17740

The Kris is a type of dagger, traditionally worn as a status symbol and carried by warriors. These daggers were said to have originated in Java in the 14th Century but were adopted in all parts of the Archipelago with broad variations between the islands of Bali, Java & Sumatra. The Kris is characterised by its distinctive wavy blade (see 383 to 393 of ‘A Glossary Of The Construction Decoration & Use Of Arms & Armour by Stone where many variants of Kris are described and illustrated). Often these daggers were mounted on carved wood Kris stands in the form of dancers or Grotesque Murti God figures for display in homes and temples (examples of these stands, two with similar grotesque faces as ours are illustrated on page 393 of Stone’s book). The blade of the Kris dagger is given its characteristic shape by folding different types of metal together and then washing it in acid. Kris were often infused with arsenic to add colour / brightness during their forging but the method of doing this was a closely guarded secret among Smiths. This is an excellent Bali / Indonesian Kris made in the late 1800's -Early 1900's. It has a 13 ½” long acid washed, hand forged Kris blade which incorporates its ornate barbed design at the hand guard. The antique ivory hilt is hand carved with typical stylised birds head form and it has an ornate copper or brass ferrule. The dagger measures 16” overall and is complete with its original antique ivory scabbard which has metal bands. The Kris is accompanied by 2 period antique ivory chop sticks / hair tools which are each 7 ¾” length. All are mounted on their original period Kris stand. Hand carved from tropical hardwood and painted in vivid red, white, green black and gold colours the full body sculpture of a kneeling Grotesque figure with ornate ceremonial crown, armour & war like face is typical of Murti vengeful / protective God sculptures seen in Bali / Indonesia. The stand measures 21” tall and the base width is 9 ½” diameter. The base is covered in red felt. One clenched fist of the sculpture is holed to fit the Kris in its scabbard and chop sticks / hair tools. The price for this highly decorative ethnic piece includes UK delivery. Sn 17740

£975.00