Malaysian Kris
Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2020 9:32 pm
Backstory:: My wife's great uncle was an international banker living in Malaysia in the late 1930's. This Kris was carried daily in the back belt of their native house-servant/gardener. They were literally overrun by the invading Japanese army. The man gave them the Kris and asked them to remember him by it. It was one of their few possessions they escaped with.
The blade is 14-3/4" long, meteorite iron, Damascus, highly carved with a demon near the guard. Entire length is 17-1/2" with carved hardwood sheath.
There are lots of cheap souvenirs in this style but this piece is the real thing. The carved hardwood kingfisher's head is exquisite and the metalwork has never tarnished. It is dirty but it's but has no tarnish. We have not attempted to clean or polish it and should get it tested as it may well be gold or an alloy of gold. Researching the myths and legends associated with these weapons is interesting. Malaysian lore claims they can fly to dispatch cursed enemies. Neat stuff! We really enjoy it. Hope you do too.
The blade is 14-3/4" long, meteorite iron, Damascus, highly carved with a demon near the guard. Entire length is 17-1/2" with carved hardwood sheath.
There are lots of cheap souvenirs in this style but this piece is the real thing. The carved hardwood kingfisher's head is exquisite and the metalwork has never tarnished. It is dirty but it's but has no tarnish. We have not attempted to clean or polish it and should get it tested as it may well be gold or an alloy of gold. Researching the myths and legends associated with these weapons is interesting. Malaysian lore claims they can fly to dispatch cursed enemies. Neat stuff! We really enjoy it. Hope you do too.
