Description:

Southeast Asia, Indonesia, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A nice example of a ceremonial sword known as a kris (also keris) covered in rich patina. The hand-carved handle bears a pair of abstract anthropomorphic maskettes along the interior curve, and the silvered copper spacer disc has an attractive granulated motif. The forged-steel blade exhibits a straight profile with a projecting hand guard as well as mottled ribbons of lighter nickel hammered into the surfaces. The wooden sheath features a bulbous guard protector and a slender blade housing, and a silvered copper sheath jacket is adorned on one side with dense foliage motifs in repousse; a line of illegible black text is written on the verso of the guard protector. Size (w/ sheath): 5.8" W x 19.5" H (14.7 cm x 49.5 cm); (blade): 14.4" L x 2.9" W (36.6 cm x 7.4 cm)

Provenance: private Rochester, Michigan, USA collection

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.

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PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#137950

  • Condition: Sheath jacket is removable from blade housing. Text on verso of guard protector is illegible. Wooden handle is perhaps a modern replacement to the original handle. Minor oxidation to blade, with small indentations to repousse motifs on sheath jacket. Great patina throughout.

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May 12, 2022 8:00 AM MDT
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