A KERIS

Description:

Indonesia, Bali (South), the blade 19th c. or earlier, the mounting 20th c.
L. 60 cm
Elaborate, well-preserved blade, wavy with moderate amplitude (11 waves, luk) with rudimentary sekar kajang and with paired curved double pits sogokan. The shape is known as bhima krodha (angry bima; Hindu heroic figure from the epic Mahabharata) because of its powerful, somewhat martial appearance. The shape is traditionally associated with masculine vitality. Hollow scraped flanks (kruwingan), pamor (forging pattern) beras wutah, raised ridge ada-ada ("back"; spine), uncontrolled layered pattern (beras wutah) on both sides of the slorok (steel core). Handle hammered from silver in deling form or togokan (togok = statue), partially fire-gilded, depicting a demonic deity, usually called Buta Nawasari (buta = demon). The left hand performs a mudra (gesture), slightly inclined lalita posture; with a tendency towards a threatening/defensive gesture. In the right hand she holds a weapon attribute. Selut with imitation stone settings, "stones" as metal caps, integral with the selut. Mendak (setting) with red cabochons. The scabbard with a box-shaped mouthpiece of elephant ivory in kandik (axe) form, the gandar (blade sheath) is decorated with a florally embossed, partially fire-gilded silver plate cap (javan. pendok). The handle figure refers iconographically to Javanese Tantrism of the 12th - 14th century. The origins of Hindu Tantra lie in various influences of the early Middle Ages in India. These included the South East Asian demonological tradition, local and popular influences had an impact on religious sects such as the Pashupata, who introduced new religious rituals and teachings that were non-Aryan Vedic. Medieval Tantra was often used to legitimise a king who was of lower caste or foreign origin through rituals that were not available to him in the Vedic orthodox ritual. In this way, Hindu Tantra has incorporated practices that aim to ritually transform the practitioner into a god-king who rules a pantheon of gods and demons and whose palace is located in the centre of the mandala. Beautiful, cohesive ensemble, mounted in the "baroque" tradition of Ubud and Badung.
From an old German private collection, assembled since the 1950s - The EU trade certificate for the sale of this lot is available - Minor traces of age