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Bali
19th Cent. A.D.
Kris Wood, Polychromes, Iron, Gold, Ruby Gemstones, Iron
Length: 62 cm Width: 20 cm Depth: 4.5 cm
Blade: 46 cm
with Handle: 58 cm
Balinese Kris
The grip of the wooden handle on this kris has been inlaid with short bundles of horse hair inserted into holes in order to increase the grip. Such handles were drawn by the Dutch artist, W.O.J. Nieuwenkamp in 1904 when he visited the island while it was still under the rule of the native princes. In contrast to other elaborate Balinese handles, which were made for ceremonial purposes, such simple wooden handles were used in combat. The kris ring is of gold inlaid with Burmese rubies. Both sides of the wrangka cross piece at the top of the sheath have been decorated with a meandering tendril and leaf pattern created by placing gold leaf atop green polychrome. A fanged Cyclops motif known as bintulu karang also rendered with gold leaf appears in a grotto. Its background color, red, created from the expensive Chinese pigment cinnabar, stands out in contrast to the green. The details in this paintwork have been added with outlines of black India ink. One side of the sarong is covered with a lacquered layer of cinnabar while the other has been painted with a pattern mimicking rare pelet wood. The blade which has 15 luk or curves is decorated with a fine damascene pattern. It is also carved with the image of a royal singa or lion squatting on its haunches. This is surrounded by a flower and tendril motif. |
