FINE BALI KRIS

15 ¾” three-wave blade, finely forged of contrasting whorl patterned iron and nickel-rich steel, resulting in a fine pamir or forged pattern. Wood hilt is finely carved as the demon king Rāhvana, also known as Dasamuka, the evil antagonist of the oldest Sanskrit epic poems (Rāmāyana). Wood scabbard en suite beautifully carved in foliage and ribbons with a demon face to the throat. As with virtually all good Kris, the blade predates the mounts, probably by two to three centuries. It is in fine polish with some minor old oxidation speckles as typical and negligible.