The Kris or Keris is the traditional heirloom weapon of the various cultures of Indonesia. Each of the Kris using cultures has a slight variation of this weapon and they are a symbol of a man’s status in society as well as being a powerful talisman. Kris blades are made using alternating laminations of iron and nickel rich iron (pamor) to give them their characteristic pattern. The blades are wide at the base, double-edged, and often wavy although many older Kris have straight blades. The older Kris with wavy blades had fewer waves, with the waves tending to be wider apart. As Kris became more symbolic and less for offence/defence, the waves became closer together and more numerous. The higher the number of waves, the more potent a Kris’ talismanic power.
This early 19th Century Bugis Kris from southern Sulawesi has a 322mm double-edged blade. The blade has three widely spaced shallow waves. The Pamor layering of the blade can be clearly seen. The blade is in good clean condition and is very sharp. There are a few small patches of shallow pitting and tarnish consistent with its age.
The well-figured hilt (ukiran) is an elongated Garuda made from a hardwood with a two-tone dark and reddish brown colour. The Garuda is a legendary bird-like creature from Hindu, Buddhist and Jain mythology. In its elongated form, it represents a stylized seabird, a nod to the seafaring origins of the Bugis people. The blade is firm in the hilt.
