A BALINESE KERIS (KADUTAN)

Description:

Indonesia, Bali, the blade circa 19th c or earlier, the mounting 20th c.
L. 64,5 cm
This courtly keris has a straight blade (lurus). It is worked as an iras ("from one piece", without a separate ganja, crosspiece), which is rare for kerises. The pamor (forging pattern) is uler lulut ("intertwined snakes"). It is created by filing and subsequent flat forging. The handle is made of ivory and carved in great detail; the type is deling, "figure". The depicted handle figure cannot be identified with certainty; it is a high-ranking demon, presumably Rahwana from the Wishnu Ramayana, who is depicted with a god's cord and Garuda mungkur (Garuda defence mask on his neck). He stands on a tumpal (lotus) pedestal and holds an unidentified attribute in his hand (probably the amerta, the water of life, which he has stolen, in a vessel). The base of the handle is set with rubies. The scabbard is in sandang walikat form, with a mouthpiece that merges seamlessly into the blade sheath gandar, with ivory trimming at the top with karang bhoma (a kala or bhoma mask that repels evil). Stylistically, an interesting reference to Tibetan kala masks can be recognised here. The scabbard has a border with colour and gold leaf applications. The gandar (blade sheath) is covered with selected burl wood (kayu pelet) plaques. It has additional sheet gold applications embossed in floral motifs and set with ruby cabochons. Very representative kadutan, with a handle of highest quality.
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, the handle with only few tiny chips, the front of the scabbard partly with minor age cracks
Lit.: IFICAH (2015): Götter-Schmiede. Balinesische Zeremonialklingen im kulturellen Kontext. Wohlesbostel. - Neka, P.W.S. (2010): Keris Bali Bersejarah. Neka Art Museum, Ubud. - Ramseyer, U. (1977): Bali. Leben in zwei Welten. Zurich