Bugis Keris
Full Description:
A handsome and complete Keris dagger from South-western Sulawesi. In the original timber scabbard covered completely in thick sheet silver, the shaped throat has clean lines and sweeping curves with an unusual snake head belt loop.
The ivory hilt sculpted as a stylised Garuda, a large bird-like creature used as a mount by the Hindu god, Lord Vishnu. With deep and fine undercut foliate carving, the ivory hilt has a deep rich patina and sits on a copper mendak with applied decorative wirework.
The ganja and straight blade have an attractive parmor, tight silver laminations on a dark grey background.
For similar Bugi hilts see Zonneveld p.68, no.252/253 and Ghiringhelli p.81-83.