Description:

Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Eastern Java, Nyamba, ca. 17th to 18th century CE. Remarkable high karat gold kris (keris) handle. The hilt is modeled from sheet gold in the form of Nyamba, a figure in the Wayang, with a crown (mahkota) indicative of his elite status and jewels cascading over his ears and incredible details such as a luxurious mustache, beard, eyebrows. Along upper crown and under the neck are recesses for the addition of gems - 2 rubies and 3 aquamarine remain. As is customary, his hands rest on his knees, one holding the knee itself, and his feet are placed upon a tumpal. The iconography of the Nyamba has its roots in the Hindu kingdom of Majapahit (ca. 1293-1500) and is best known to possess a crown or mahkota and a prominent nose. The use of gold and gems tells us that the owner of this kris was a person of import, as in the past only members of the royal family were permitted to use this precious metal. Custom stand.

For a similar example, see Vanna Ghiringhelli, Kris Hilts: Masterpieces of South-East Asian Art. 5 Continents Editions, Milan, 2011, p. 77.

Size: 2.5" W x 4.5" H (6.4 cm x 11.4 cm)

Provenance: Ex- private collection of Ami Brown. Mr. Brown was the owner of the Coca Cola franchise in Israel and amassed a huge and very fine collection of Indonesian Kris's as well as other ethnographic and tribal arts. His collection numbered more than 3000 pieces with many on display during his life in the Ein Harod Museum of Art.

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#113361

  • Condition: Loss to blade, tears as shown.

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April 20, 2016 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$300 $999 $50
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$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
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