Fine and Unusual, Large Bugis Keris with Fossil Molar Teeth Handle

Bugis (Buginese) people are the biggest ethnic group from Sulawesi (Celebes) Island. They carry a very typical Keris dagger: Rather short with massive blade, scabbard with somewhat square lines and a pistol grip handle. Sometimes the handle is of Sumatra style like the case here.

The Keris dagger offered here is of straight blade forged from classical pamor steel. Massive and heavy fossil elephant molar handle (Sumatra style). Finely chased silver Mendak. Classical Bugis wood scabbard bound with twisted silver wire. The top of the scabbard (Warangka) perfectly fits the blade and marked on it inner face with what looks like a collection catalog mark.

Blade length 15 inches (38 cm), Total length 19 ½ inches (50 cm). Very good plus condition. Rare authentic keris dagger. 19 C. blade, first half of the 20 C. handle and scabbard.