An 18th Century, 3 luks blade from West Sumatra, rare Minangkabau small keris. The sheath, sampir (upper cross section) and buntut (end-piece), are made from kemuning wood.

The Minang-styled pendokok (hilt cup) is made from brass, beautifully worked to encase 2 rows of red rubies. The centre portion is decorated with wire-works floral patterns.

The chatoyance of the kemuning wooden hilt and cross-piece is evident.Sheath form is similar to the one in Van Duuren's 'The Kris - An earthly approach to a cosmic symbol', pg: 9.

The batang (shaft) is stained dark wood. The buntut, is made of kemuning wood.

The big hulu (hilt) looks oversized, but is normal for this form. Length of the hulu (hilt) is 11cm / 4.5 inches.

A question: Is this a man's or woman's keris? What do you think? I think it's a woman's keris.

Blade length (from pesi to tip) is 27.5cm / 11 inches. Blade area is 23cm / 9 inches.

As received. Rusty blade. Had applied oil to 'loosen' the rust a little.

A gentle luk 3 blade with 2 shallow fullers across from the base to near the tip.

The gandik area. Not so prominent now. Still have rust to remove...afterwhich should look more defined.Note the Kembang Kacang bungkem or Belalai Gajah bungkem (in Malay).

The greneng area. Fine fretworks typical of Minang style.

Profile of the blade. A small blade, about the size of a Javanese patrem.