Opinions: large Kris w/ intricate inlay

Ian · 18th April 2026, 01:37 AM

Hi Rick,

Another example of this genre that sold recently at auction. No hilt, just the blade unfortunately.

The blade is similar to your example, but the head of the naga appears higher on the blade and closer to the hilt. When I enlarge the gangya area, I cannot see a complete line that would suggest a separate gangya on this one. The groove defining the naga head extends over where a separation line would be expected, and on the greneng side of the naga I can see no line at all.

In the labeled figure, there is a line (1) in the correct place for a separation line. That line extends almost to the groove outlining the naga, but stops abruptly short of it. I can see no evidence of any line on the greneng side of the naga. There is another line (2) at the cocor but such a line is always engraved on the surface and does not indicate any separation at that point. My conclusion is that the apparent line of separation on the gandik side of the naga is an engraved line also, and that this blade's gangya is not separate. However, an X-ray (as you found) would provide a clear answer.

The area of attachment of the tang to the gangya (3) again shows some widening adjacent to the gangya. I suspect it represents welding of the two pieces.

Interestingly, there appears to be a horizontal crack in the tang (4) at a point similar to where your tang appears to have broken. Perhaps a forging flaw that may have eventually led to this one also breaking.

Regards,

Ian
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18th April 2026, 01:37 AM	#29
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,734	Hi Rick, Another example of this genre that sold recently at auction. No hilt, just the blade unfortunately. The blade is similar to your example, but the head of the naga appears higher on the blade and closer to the hilt. When I enlarge the gangya area, I cannot see a complete line that would suggest a separate gangya on this one. The groove defining the naga head extends over where a separation line would be expected, and on the greneng side of the naga I can see no line at all. In the labeled figure, there is a line (1) in the correct place for a separation line. That line extends almost to the groove outlining the naga, but stops abruptly short of it. I can see no evidence of any line on the greneng side of the naga. There is another line (2) at the cocor but such a line is always engraved on the surface and does not indicate any separation at that point. My conclusion is that the apparent line of separation on the gandik side of the naga is an engraved line also, and that this blade's gangya is not separate. However, an X-ray (as you found) would provide a clear answer. The area of attachment of the tang to the gangya (3) again shows some widening adjacent to the gangya. I suspect it represents welding of the two pieces. Interestingly, there appears to be a horizontal crack in the tang (4) at a point similar to where your tang appears to have broken. Perhaps a forging flaw that may have eventually led to this one also breaking. Regards, Ian . Attached Images Last edited by Ian; 18th April 2026 at 01:05 PM.