INDO792: Benjarmasin Keris

A small rare 19th century or earlier Banjarmasin Keris. The abstracted Jawa Demam style handle is made of copper with a wash of gold and adorned with many “Borneo Diamonds”. The Borneo diamonds are found in the rivers of Kalimantan, and can be real rough diamonds or quartz crystals. I have not had this piece tested for diamonds… Banjarmasin is a Javanese settlement area on Borneo (Kalimantan) so this Keris handle style has an interesting mix of cultural influence including Bugis and Sumatran. The Javanese blade has no top ganja, but may be much older and has a good pamor pattern showing.     

15" tall with a 12" blade. 19th century or earlier, Borneo, Indonesia.