170 of 298 lots
170
Large and Fine Silver Mounted 19th C. Indonesian Bali KERIS Dagger ~ Superb Damascus Blade.
Estimate:
$800 - $1,200
Sold
$1,300
Live Auction
Important May 8th Collection of Asian Arms, Part I
Description
Keris from Bali are considered some of the finest among the Indonesian archipelago. As a Hindu society, the influences on the Balinese keris survived the Islamicization and abstraction of form and design found elsewhere in the region, with some exceptions. As a result, Balinese keris often have hilts carved with richly designed Hindu deities in more realistic manner than the more the stylized interpretations found in other parts of the region, such as the highly stylized Garuda imagery of the Bugis or Sumatra. Other forms of hilts are simpler in design and would have been used by the warrior class and commoners such as a planar form called danganan bebondolan named for the resemblance to the common bondol, or weaver bird. Another form of handle is a distinct cylindrical form is called danganan grantim. The keris played a particularly important role in Balinese society, is used as a ritual tool in almost every Balinese religious ceremony. The historical development of the Balinese keris is related to the origination of the keris in the early part of the 2nd millennium A.D. and which spread to Bali from the east Javanese kingdom of Kedhiri from the 11th-13th centuries. The Majaphit conquest of Bali in 1343 especially influenced the development of the keris in Balinese society.This example in the Schmiedt Collection is a fine representation of a classic Balinese form in the form of a demon or raksasa carved in silver. The demon with bulging eyes and belly and fangs, indicative of the type, while sitting upon the tumpal triangular forms. The carved black wood wrangka of the form called senget, and with a pendok, or sheath ornament, entirely in chiseled silver with floral designs.Overall 19th to early 20th century.Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 25 3/4" Blade Length : 20"References:1. Frey, E. (1988) The Kris: Mystic Weapon of the Malay World. Oxford University Press.2. Mardianto, W. A to Z – Sesuatu mengenai KERIS dan TOMBAK KERIS – SENJATA TRADISIONAL INDONESIA A to Z3. Ki Empu Jhuel. Pamor Keris4. Ghiringelli. V. (2007) The Invincible Krises 2. Saviolo Publisher5. Van Zonneveld, A.G. (2001) Traditional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago. Leiden: Art Books6. Gardner, G.B. (2009) Keris and other Malay Weapons. Orchid Press7. Weihrauch, A., Kloubert, U. and Aljunied, A. (2017)The Gods & the Forge: Balinese Ceremonial Blades- The Gods & the Forge in a Cultural Context. IFICAH8. Neka, W. S. (2014) Understanding Balinese Keris: An Insiders Perspective. Neka Art MuseumDetailed condition reports are not included in this catalog. For additional information, including condition reports, please contact us at info@sofedesignauctions.com