Dress keris and badek from Terengganu
 

I was very happy to acquire this matching pair, which I believe to be dated to the first half of the 20th century. They're really small - the keris is 13 inches overall, 9.3 inch blade; the badek is 8.6 inches overall, 5.5 inch blade. Small guys, but they cost me nearly an arm and a leg.

They're just perfect for wearing, which is what I would do for the coming Muharram. :)

Very nice Kai Wee. I have a keris with very similar dress (it doesn't have the black bands) which i always assumed was also early 20thC, so your dating helps support that, thanks. :)
Do you think these two were actually made as a pair or they just happen to match. The one difference i do notice right away is that the badek lacks the black bands (horn?ebony?) that are present at the top of the gandar on the keris. They look good together regardless. ;)

Congrats on these well-made pieces. Lovely elegant fittings. Goes well with any collection. ;) They do look perfect for wearing. Are you carrying the side arm, this Muharram? :D

Hi David,

The seller had these 2 pieces on sale at the same time. Both were Terengganu, and from the same period. While I think they were not made at the exact same time, they were probably owned by the same person, who probably had worn them as a pair. :) The black bands are horn. Apart from Terengganu, Sumatra also had keris sheaths of similar aesthetics. I have a keris panjang with such alternating black and white batang, and that keris was probably 19th century.

Hi Shahrial,

Yep, I'm going to be in black. :) Makes the white stand out. :)