Ceremonial dagger (keris) with scabbard

The iron blade of this ceremonial dagger is straight and damascened. Decorated with plant motifs, the wooden grip is shaped like a highly stylized and barely recognizable, forward-leaning animal. At the base of the grip there is a gilded shaft ring decorated with filigree. The chase and scabbard are made of wood covered in gilded metal and decorated with plant motifs. At the chase, a gilded decorative loop ending in snake heads has been attached with red rope. At the top and bottom of the scabbard Arabic letters give the date: 1855 (or 1856).