Galleons Lost, a subsidiary of Voyager International Inc. that brings the Treasure of the Island Kings collection to Charleston, will hold an opening reception for a special collection of Keris knives on Friday, October 1, 2010, from 5 to 8 p.m. during the French Quarter Art Walk. The store is located at 165 King Street in downtown Charleston, SC.

The authentic maritime treasure and ethnographic art gallery will feature its one-of-a-kind collection of highly collectable and sought after Keris knives. The kris or keris is an asymmetrical dagger indigenous to Southeast Asia.  The keris is famous for its distinctive wavy blade, but many have straight blades as well. Keris blades have existed for thousands of years; they are very difficult to make and are believed to have magical, supernatural and spiritual properties which makes them so extraordinary. Their creation began as early as in the 7^th century from iron ore and meteorites. The metals are beaten together by keris blade smiths called Empu in layers until a thin sheet is formed which is then shaped into the typical wavy or straight form.

Both a weapon and spiritual object, keris are often considered to have an essence or presence, with some blades possessing good luck and others possessing bad.  Empu did more than forge the weapon; they carried out the old rituals which could infuse the blade with mystical powers.

Keris were worn on a daily basis, especially when traveling to be used for self-defense. Heirloom blades were handed down through successive generations and worn during special events such as weddings, these heirloom keris knives are very valuable and highly collectible.

Galleons Lost offers investment and museum quality maritime pirate treasure including shipwreck coins, gold doubloons, pieces of eight as well as South sea pearls, gold treasure and estate jewelry from aristocratic families, blue and white Ming porcelain, silver jewelry made from salvage silver from centuries old shipwrecks, Spanish and Portuguese cannon and Pirate Era weaponry as well as oriental rugs, exotic wood art, Tibetan coral, Keris knives and ethnographic art.