An ancient kriss whose blade and handle are cast in one piece, the figure constituting the handle is slightly bent to the side and seated in genuflection, following the Javanese tradition of kriss handles, usually carved separately. This type of cast-iron kriss was discovered during excavations carried out in Java by the Dutch in the 1920s/30s and has since been commonly referred to and described in the literature as Madjapahit period. A closer look would suggest that this type of kriss, though very old, was not a real weapon but rather a ritual or "magical" object. Some are very "primitive" and rudimentary in style, while others, like this one, are more naturalistic and refined, but there's no way of distinguishing between the older and the more recent styles. All date from between the 15th and 18th centuries, and feature the beautiful erosion of wrought iron. See: Indonesische Kunstnijverheid, Bezember, Kolonial Institut Amsterdam, p. 161, pl. 234 Java Island, Indonesia 18th century (or earlier), from the Majapahit period Iron, very fine old oxidation H. 44.5 cm Provenance : Monsieur V. Collection, Brussels, acquired in London in 1976 or 1977