Kris Gayo

[Jean]

Dear friends,
In these difficult times for most of us, I am glad to show you a kris Gayo which I recently acquired from an experienced Dutch collector & trader:
These krisses are quite rare on the market as many of them were confiscated by the Dutch after the end of the Aceh war at the beginning of the 20th century. They are rather rustic as compared to the Javanese krisses for instance but with some specific features as shown on my specimen:
. The straight and strong blade is 25.5 cm long with a rustic dapur Brojol (in Java) and a roughly applied pamor pattern. It probably dates from the 19th century.
. The scabbard has a rectangular sampir similar to some Minang or South Sumatra pieces and is decorated with a silver sleeve and stud. The gandar has an ivory tip with a peculiar design specific to the Gayo krisses.
. The wooden hilt is in specific Jawa demam style from the Gayo, featuring a strong and pointed beak, a peculiarly shaped crest in the back, raised diamond-shaped motifs at the waist, and small diamond and triangular motifs on the base.