Sumatran Keris Penjang (Execution Keris)
Sumatran Keris Penjang (Execution Keris)
Aceh Sultanate - Dutch East Indies (Sumatra, Indonesia)
Late 19th century
Steel, hardwood
Blade: 51,4cm
Hilt & Blade: 64,8cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: 86,4cm
Collection Date: 2021
Collection Number: 404
Deaccessioned from the Valentine Museum: Richmond, Virginia, USA (2021)
One of the many variations of the keris penjang, this one from the Indoesian Island of Sumatra. This style is also known as execution keris from historical accounts describing the insertion of the long narrow blade above the collarbone of the sitting criminal and having pushed down directly into the heart, causing instant death. No doubt some were used in this way, but many remained as symbols of status.
This example is longer than the average at 64,8cm and with great coloration tones. The steel blade is narrow, double- edged, and profiled at the base. A raised medial ridge extends the entirety of the blade with chamfered edges. Slight laminations are visible in light. Both the hardwood hilt and sheath are carved from a beautiful type of jungle wood that emits an orange hue tone contrasted with fine dark grain colorations. The tip of the sheath is now missing. An attractive and longer example not so common.
Lord Egerton of Tatton. 2002. “Indian And Oriental Arms And Armor”. Page 96. #282