{"product_id":"original-indonesian-east-indies-kris-dagger-from-the-island-of-madura-with-carved-hippo-tusk-handle-circa-1820-1850","title":"Original Indonesian East Indies Kris Dagger from the Island of Madura with Carved Hippo Tusk Handle - Circa 1820-1850","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: One Only. The kris or keris is a prized asymmetrical dagger most strongly associated with the culture of Indonesia, but also indigenous to Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei and Singapore. It is known as kalis in the southern Philippines. The kris is famous for its distinctive wavy blade, however this example has a straight blade, an older style from the early part of the 19th century. This design is also specific to the Island of Madura in the Philippines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA kris can be divided into three parts: bilah (blade), hulu (hilt), and warangka (sheath). These parts of the kris are objects of art, often carved in meticulous detail and made from various materials: metal, precious or rare types of wood, or gold or ivory. A kris's aesthetic value covers the dhapur (the form and design of the blade, with around 150 variants), the pamor (the pattern of metal alloy decoration on the blade, with around 60 variants), and tangguh referring to the age and origin of a kris.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth a weapon and spiritual object, kris are often considered to have an essence or presence, considered to possess magical powers, with some blades possessing good luck and others possessing bad. Kris are used for display, as talismans with magical powers, weapons, a sanctified heirloom (pusaka), auxiliary equipment for court soldiers, an accessory for ceremonial dress, an indicator of social status, a symbol of heroism, etc. Legendary kris that possess supernatural power and extraordinary ability were mentioned in traditional folktales, such as those of Mpu Gandring, Taming Sari, and Setan Kober.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example is not a modern tourist item, it is the real thing dating from the early 19th century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe key to identify the older blades is to be able to find the join at the hilt end of the blade as the horn was always added as a separate piece. Later examples and modern tourist pieces were always had blades made from just one sheet of steel. This example definitely has the separate hilt end of the blade, though it is loose on the blade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach section of the Dutch East Indies produced the traditional Kris Daggers but each district, Java, Borneo, and others had their own characteristics. This area is today covered by what we know as Indonesia, Malaya and the Phillippines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 12.5 inch blade made from high nickel content iron often found in meteorite iron giving a unique finish known as \"Timor\" or \"Pamor\". The color variation shown on this example is really incredible, far mores than seen on \"Damascus\" steel blades, and may be one of the most colorful we have ever seen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blade has a small ornate ferrule at the top of an ornately carved hippo tusk handle, which is exceedingly ornate, showing all types of floral designs as well as what look to be seashells. There are also what look to be \"gills\" on the side, so possibly it is some type of mythological sea monster. The native's religion prevented them from carving human forms or those of their god(s). Hippos are not indigenous to Indonesiam but the tusks were imported, most likely from East Africa perhaps via the Silk Road traffic of the\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis kris also comes complete with its original exotic wood scabbard (warangka), which is made of a lovely wood, and the lower part (galar) has a sheet nickel cover (pendoq), which is covered with floral engraving. The larger top wood portion of the scabbard is in great shape, and is one continuous piece with the rest of the scabbard. It fits the blade exactly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA very nice example of a the legendary Kris dagger with a fantastic blade and carved hippo tusk handle, ready to display!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBlade Length: 14 1\/2\"\u003cbr\u003eBlade Style: Double Edged Wavy \"Kris\"\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 18 3\/4“\u003cbr\u003eScabbard Length: 18 1\/2\"\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40827063337029,"sku":"ONAC23296","price":495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONAC23296__01.jpg?v=1700842718","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-indonesian-east-indies-kris-dagger-from-the-island-of-madura-with-carved-hippo-tusk-handle-circa-1820-1850","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}