To illustrate my point, about Indonesian kris, or in this case, Balinese kris, as being works of art, I offer the two links below....(too large, and too much time to upload).
Both kris are late 18th, or early 19th century, and both are in their original sarongs as offered to me at the time I acquired them. The first kris is in its sarong kampung, or normal sarong. Not uncommonly, fine Balinese kris may have two, or even three various sarongs, (much like the men who own them) suitable for the occasion where kris bearing is essential.
The second kris is of the same age, and seen in its sarong Pura, a more formal presentation, reflecting the caste, or stature of its Balinese owner.
Their sarong aside, it is the blade, the kris itself, that merits discussion. While neither of these blades are masterpieces, each of them exhibit the fine and utterly balanced design that goes into all Indonesian Empu made kris. I think it is self evident, or at least I hope it is, that both kris blades are flawless in their execution and they present a timeless image of perfection, which is only highlighted by their brilliant nickel pamor.
Understandably, I am of course biased in my opinions regarding Balinese made kris, which are in general more substantial than the kris made in Java, Sulawesi, or other parts of Indonesia. Aside from having our Empu and pande, directly descended from the Majapahit, only here in Bali does the restriction of human figures not apply to the arts, (as we are Hindu), thus the variety of our hilts is endless.
http://www.sundream.com/~majapahit/images/kris17.jpg
http://www.sundream.com/~majapahit/images/Kris31.jpg