Description:

Southeast Asia, Indonesia, ca. early 20th century CE. A gorgeous example of a personal ceremonial sword used throughout Indonesia known as a kris (also keris). The high-grade (97%) silver hilt depicts the great hero demon Bhima, illustrated with a forward-leaning pose atop a small stool while grasping a mace with his right hand, and below him is a spacer cap set with six blue-grey stone cabochons. The forged-carbon-steel blade has a wavy profile, a protruding shoulder guard with a curled tendril on the opposite side, and strands of lighter nickel woven into the graining pattern. The sheath has a wooden blade housing lined with an 82% silver jacket bearing dense foliage motifs in repousse. The hand-carved ivory guard protector exhibits a meticulously etched mythological scene of humans and demons surrounded by spiraling tendrils and floral motifs. Size (w/ sheath): 8.7" W x 24.7" H (22.1 cm x 62.7 cm); (length of blade): 16.4" L (41.7 cm); quality of silver: 97% (handle) and 82% (sheath jacket).

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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#149395

  • Condition: Ivory guard protector reattached to blade housing, and sheath jacket cannot be removed. Minor abrasions to hilt, blade, guard protector, and sheath jacket, and softening to some finer details. Light earthen deposits and nice patina throughout.

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February 24, 2023 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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