Kris, Dagger

ca. 1476-1525

Indonesia/Malaysia

Steel, marble, wood, silver

The defining characteristics of this Malay Kris of the eponymous peninsula are the uncommon shape of its blade, the fragility of the material in which the hilt is made and its decorative simplicity. Elements which permit to attribute to it not only an approximate date between the 15th and 16th centuries but also confer it a ceremonial function more so than as a combat weapon.

The double edged blade in watered steel with a pamor or pattern of the “cloud” type reveals a slight curve which leads us to classify it as a later piece. Its fittings are of great technical quality, showing the care with which it was kept through various generations.

The hulu or Garuda, bird-man vehicle of the god Vishnu, shaped hilt, is made of marble, which is quite unusual due to the fragility of this material.

(The kris or keris is an asymmetrical dagger most strongly associated with the culture of Indonesia, but also indigenous to Malaysia, Thailand and Brunei. It is known as kalis in the southern Philippines. The kris is famous for its distinctive wavy blade, but in the past, most had straight blades.)

Source: caravanacollection.com

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