Description:

**First Time At Auction**

Southeast Asia, Indonesia, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. An opulent example of a personal ceremonial sword known as a kris (also keris). The hand-carved ivory hilt depicts a pair of abstract anthropomorphic maskettes along the interior curve, and the high-grade (90%) silver spacer cap bears dozens of glinting faceted diamonds. The forged-carbon-steel blade has a straight profile with sharpened edges, a projecting hand guard with gilt leafy motifs on top, and ribbons of lighter nickel hammered in to form a rapidly oscillating presentation. The two-part wooden sheath features a slender blade house surmounted by a broad-grained guard protector, and the 93% gold (equivalent to 22K+) sheath jacket is adorned on the front with repousse foliate motifs. Size (w/ sheath): 7" W x 18.5" H (17.8 cm x 47 cm); (length of blade): 14.625" L (37.1 cm); quality of gold: 93% (equivalent to 22K+); quality of silver: 90%; total weight (gold sheath jacket): 46.5 grams.

The ivory on this item pre-dates 1900 and was acquired long before the 1970 ban on ivory trade.

Provenance: private Rochester, Michigan, USA collection

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#149476

  • Condition: One lateral protrusion of guard protector reattached to remainder with nearly invisible break lines. Gold sheath jacket is removable from blade housing. Minor dents to sheath jacket, abrasions to guard protector and blade, chips to wooden blade housing, fissure to side of handle, and light encrustations on spacer cap. Great patina throughout.

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February 16, 2023 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000