SOLD Antique Balinese Indonesian Bali Sword Keris Kris Gold Gild Bayu Hilt
SOLD An outstanding, jeweled, Indonesian-Balinese dagger -sword, keris, kris, with extremely well-made blade 15th-17th century blade, with 8 luks ('waves’) superbly hand wrought from pamor iron with fine Damascus pattern. 19th century mountings including Balinese courtly-style figural hilt (hulu) depicts the god 'Bataru Bayu' sitting on a tumpal throne. He is the god of wealth and well-being (a variation of the Indian wind-god Vayu). The hilt is covered with, gold gilded brass, worked in repoussé and finely, chased and engraved. The clothing of the wealth-god, his diadem, ear ornaments, hair- and arm- jewelry set with various colors cabochon beads, as is the Selut and Mendak.
The wooden wrongka and scabbard (Pendok) are made of Timoho wood -Kleinhovia Hospita with naturally occurring contrasting grains (in former days this wood was even more valuable than silver or gold!) Fully encased with very rare type ornate gilt bras slorok with two open panels, decorated in low relief with scrolling foliage and flower-heads against a punched ground.
Since high-quality, Keris blades made of Pamor were very valuable and would not go out of fashion or style, were part of the pustaka or heirlooms of the aristocracy to be passed from generation to generation. They were considered to have magic and to imbue magic and power on their owners. So, the fine old blades, dating back I as far as the 15th 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: In very good condition, showing the age and usage, the gold gilding on the scabbard, brass slorok, worn-out.
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: 46 cm (18.11 inches)
Overall length without the scabbard: 59.5 cm (23.43 inches)
The word Pamor comes from the Javanese word “Wor” or “Awor” and it means “mixture” and refers to a pattern in the blade made by means of forging together layers of different metals, typically layered billets of steel and nickel alloys Many pamor motifs are found, each with its own meaning, magic and value.
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
