Balinese Fighting Keris

This example is from Bali and features a thin, traditionally forged straight blade with a rare hilt type attributed to Hinduism, the most practiced religion in Bali. The handle is called “cecekahan” which means “uneven notches” and is made of polychrome wood. Finding an original keris with its original handle and scabbard has become rarer over the years as many keris have been reassembled with different handles from different periods. These handles were worn by veteran soldiers and custodians of the 'puri'. The handle and blade are connected by a small copper ferrule, called a "mendak", which is stamped with polished glass. The blade: Being original in terms of the handle and the sheath, the large straight blade has a nice pamor and was traditionally forged by an “empu” (blade blacksmith). The blade of the Balinese keris can be, like its counterparts in the archipelago, forged directly or with "luk" waves resembling a resting or active "naga", the mythical dragon-serpent of ancient Hinduism. The blade features a deep contrast between the carbon-rich steel and the inserted nickel. The blade was traditionally washed by a professional to honor its tradition and past glory. The “ganja” (guard) is separate from the “wilah” (blade) and fits perfectly. The blade starts wide to function as a guard, then tapers towards the tip with a medial ridge and two fulls on both sides. The tip has a diamond cross section and is reinforced to make it more suitable for thrusting.

Condition: Very good, all parts are original and well maintained. The blade is traditionally washed with “warangi” and cleaned of rust and dirt. It is well maintained in precious oil to honor and respect the tradition of its heritage. The scabbard has an old repair. Dimensions: Handle length: 13 cm Blade length: 47 cm Back of blade thickness: 15 mm Scabbard: 58 cm Total length: 70.7 cm