This is the first of a few Asian spearheads I will be presenting. Acquiring this particular blade was an accomplishment - I paid much less than I feel the point is worth, and certainly much less than the point will be worth in a few years. This is an antique kris-shaped spear point from Java, Indonesia. Said to be from the Pajajaran period (14th-15th centuries), when Java was part of a widespread Hindu radiation originating in India. The blade may be made from meteorite iron, the traditional material for old kris blades.
Overall, the point is long and wide with two waves. The blade is tanged for insertion into a wood shaft. A slight midrib is still present. The surface of the object is very rough, with an eroded appearance. These primitive wootz or Damascus blades are made from several layers of folded iron. The Javanese bring out the pamor or grain patterns in the blade by washing them with acidic solutions including citrus juice. As a result of this process, the older the blade is, the thinner and more eroded-appearing the blade becomes. Thus, this particular point may have been longer and wider in the past. A round decoration, neatly filed into the metal, serves as a hilt.
The blade is mounted in a shira-saya type display shaft and cover, both of modern manufacture. The cover, made from a tropical hardwood (possibly narra wood), is known as a warangka. The short, nicely tapered shaft with a turned finial element, is made from the same hardwood and is known as an ukiran. The tang of the blade fits snugly into the fitting when wrapped with a strip of cloth.
This is a functional and solidly-built weapon. Even if it is not as old as advertised, it is made from fine watered steel in the traditional fashion. Kris-type blades and spears have immense symbolic value for Indonesians. Unfortunately I don't have enough experience with or knowledge of Indonesian blades to go into much detail here.
Length (overall): About 24 1/2".
Length (blades/points): About 11 1/2" from tip of blade to base of hilt. Tang is about 5".
Length (other dimensions): Shaft is 13". Scabbard is about 12".
Width at widest point (blade/point): About 2 1/2" across the prongs at the widest point.
Width (other dimensions): Scabbard is about 4" across at widest point.
Materials: Watered steel. Shaft and scabbard are made from tropical hardwood (possibly narra wood).
This is a great old antique item. I hope to display it on a bookcase at some point. I have a recently-made decorative spear from the same region with a more kris knife-type blade and a complete shaft.
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