SOLD Antique Javanese Indonesian Kris Keris Molar Fossil Hilt
SOLD Antique Javanese Indonesian short sword - dagger Kris – Keris with the hilt carved from fossilized mammoth or elephant molar, featuring beautiful grain of range colors from pale cream through golds and browns, into very deep brown, and grey. Robust and heavy, serpentine -shaped blade, with 5 luks ('waves’) superbly hand wrought from pamor iron with fine Damascus pattern adorned on both sides with finely hand chiselled and heavy gold overlaid (kinatah) Naga Penganten ('Twin Dragons') the Nāga King and Queen are wearing a gold crowns. Ganja adorned with finely hand chiselled and heavy gold overlaid motif of flower tendrils. A Silvered ferrule or mendak ornamented with stones.
The warangka in Ladrang style is made of precious wood with naturally occurring contrasting grains. Fully encased with brass sheath Pendok, the outer side of the Pendok is finely repousse and engraved with interlocking with floral pattern.
Since high-quality, Keris blades made of Pamor were very valuable and would not go out of fashion or style, they were passed from father to son and were used by the next generations. So, the fine old blades, dating back I as far as the fifteenth century were still used during the 19th century but remounted with a new 19th century mountings. It was also practiced in Japan when the expensive old sword blades were remounted to a new mounting and were still used in 19th and 20th century.
CONDITION: Showing the age and usage, some wear to the gold on the Naga, Pendok with minor dents.
Please notice that the pictures in the listing are part of the description of the condition of the object.
MEASUREMENTS
Overall length with the scabbard: 49.6 cm (19 .5 inches)
Overall length without the scabbard: 46.5 cm (18 5⁄16 inches)
REFERENCES:
1.The Invincible Krises 2 by Vanna Ghiringhelli
2. Kris Gli Invincibili: Kris The Invincible [The invincible krises] by Vanna Ghiringhelli
3. Traditional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago by Albert G. van Zonneveld
