| Description |
A: Sword (kris) with hand forged, doubled-edged wavy blade with median ridge down both faces of blade; Proximal end of blade expands to form guard which bears numerous notches along lower edges and is engraved on each face with two plant-like motifs marking the location of the clamps to secure the blade to the hilt; Brass clamp covers one pair of the engraved motifs; Grip portion of wooden hilt is wrapped in alternate bands of a white metal and brown wool yarn, and the wooden pommel is carved in the stylized form of a cockatoo, whose profile is wrapped by a strip of tin that is nailed in place; B: Scabbard for kris, carved from two pieces of wood, one of which has been shallowly carved to accommodate the thickness of the kris's blade; Top edge of both pieces expands to form a crosspiece, which is usually carved separately; Front half of scabbard has leaf-like carving at distal end and shallowly recessed bands of geometric designs along "crosspiece"; The two halves of the scabbard are pegged and nailed together on the crosspiece and wrapped by four narrow braided rattan bands that are evenly spaced along its overall length; Braided cord of red, white, and blue cotton fibers is threaded through "crosspiece" to allow kris to be worn at the user’s waist. |
