Indonesian kris with a blade (wilah) of undulating (luk) sha - Lot 442

Indonesian kris with a blade (wilah) of undulating (luk) shape (dapur) with a dozen or so curves, probably made of an alloy of two types of iron, with no particular pattern (pamor) other than a round spiral at the top. In one piece with the handle (ukiran). The handle is carved in the shape of an anthropomorphic body, surmounted by a large head with almost obliterated features. The base of the blade is unworked. Without guard. Without scabbard (sarong). Total length: 46.7 cm - Blade length: 37.9 cm Java, Indonesia N.B. : From the Malay "keris", "kris", "kiris" or "kres", of Javanese origin and formerly anglicized as creese, the kris is a dagger from Malaysia, Indonesia and the southern Philippines, intended for parade rather than warfare. With a wavy, sometimes straight, double-edged blade, often forged from two different shades of iron, it can also be inlaid with precious metals. The handle, made of wood, bone, ivory or metal, sometimes almost straight, more often slightly curved and often curved at almost right angles, can be worked with fine gold, or set with precious stones. A scabbard, very wide at the top, is an integral part of the kris. In Java and Bali, this weapon was traditionally an integral part of a man of rank's outfit. Bibliography : Gaspard de Marval, Le monde du kris, Indonésie - Malaisie - Philippines (Musée militaire vaudois, Morges, 1997)