Indonesia - Keris

 

 

 The most important magic talisman in many households of Indonesia is the Keris, often an heirloom passed down through many generations. The blade is a laminate of iron and meteorite nickel, and when correctly treated, the blade presents a dramatic black/white contrasted texture known as pamor. Pamor will indicate what supernatural power a keris contains; for example, protection from fire, theft or other disaster, making the owner rich or well-respected, giving the ability to dance or serve as a diplomat or chasing rats out of one's rice fields, to name only a few.

Blacksmiths that make keris are highly respected and even feared for their knowledge of mystical arts. To forge an especially powerful keris, a smith must practice austerities and work only at certain auspicious times of day; it can take literally years of elaborately tabooed expertise to make a highly-charged magic blade.

The left keris is an elegant smaller one with tortoise shell overlay on the sheath. The blade is in fine condition, an older smooth-style Balinese pamor. There is a small hole on the reverse of the sheath near the top. The right is a Bugis keris from Sumatra. It has an ivory hilt with silver overlay on the hilt and scabbard. The blade shape and rough grainy pamor is very typical of the Bugis style.

left - 18 1/4" sheathed, 16 1/4" keris

right - 17 1/2" sheathed, 17 1/4" keris
left - W-17 $850, right - W-18 $1200