Description:

Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Java, ca. 19th century CE. A very fine and early wooden kris (keris) handle. Medium brown hard wood carved in an abstract form representing the mighty Hindu Bhima, the second of the Pandavas, with signature long fingers and thumbnails and a beak of a Garuda whose duty is to protect his rear on the nape of his neck. He boasts a long curled mustache rivaling the impressive locks flowing down his back and past his waist, indicating that he is a prince. Finely carved withCirebon pattern (Clouds) decoration throughout. Superb example! Custom stand.

For similar examples, one carved from ebony, one from elephant ivory, see Vanna Ghiringhelli, Kris Hilts: Masterpieces of South-East Asian Art. 5 Continents Editions, Milan, 2011, pp. 68-71.

Size: 2" W x 3.5" H (5.1 cm x 8.9 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.

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

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#113337

  • Condition: Quite excellent

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May 12, 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
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$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000