Description:

Southeast Asia, Indonesia, ca. first half of the 20th century CE. A beautiful example of a personal ceremonial dagger known as a kris (or keris). The hand-carved wooden handle features a pair of abstract anthropomorphic maskettes along the inner curve, and a pair of brass spacer rings are inset with faceted colorless stones. The forged carbon-steel dagger has a straight profile with sharpened edges and a pointed tip, strips of lighter nickel that are folded in, and a mythological creature covered in gilding that sits opposite the projecting hand guard. The wooden sheath is defined by a bulbous guard protector and a slender blade housing, and the removable brass jacket is adorned with etched foliate motifs along the peripheries. Size (w/ sheath): 6.3" W x 19.6" H (16 cm x 49.8 cm); (length of blade): 15.5" L (39.4 cm).

Provenance: private Rochester, Michigan, USA collection

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#149507

  • Condition: Sheath repaired from two large pieces, with small chips and light adhesive residue along break lines; blade housing is likely not original to guard protector. Minor abrasions to blade gilding, weathering to faceted stones, softening to some finer details, and light encrustations on blade. Nice patina throughout.

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January 16, 2020 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