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Minangkabau West Sumatra
19th Cent. A.D.
Kris Ivory, Gold, Wood, Iron
Length: 46.5 cm Width: 13.5 cm Depth: 2.5 cm
Blade: 35 cm
with Handle: 44 cm
This stunning kris has a handle and wrangka carved of natural burl wood sitting in a gold cup with an undulating shell like cut out edge. The artist has carefully chosen the wood and followed its natural contours. The sheath is covered with a heavy, deeply worked sheet of gold. The top have is decorated with a double border of zigzags which frame a curving vine with flowers. The bottom half of the sheath depicts flowers framed by reversed v shapes made of thick gold wire. A triangular pattern is at the bottom and foot has vertical stripes resembling those of a pumpkin or belimbing fruit. The blade consists of seven luk or curves and long damascene pattern that extends down the length of the blade. The top of the blade is covered in gold with a woven wire border and fish scale pattern. . |
