Description:

Southeast Asia, Indonesia, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. A wonderful example of a ceremonial sword known as a kris (also keris). The hand-carved ivory handle depicts an abstract standing figure with a large head and pointed beak, and the copper-silver spacer disc beneath bears petite foliate motifs. The forged-carbon steel blade has a quickly oscillating profile, a pointed hand guard, and a shoulder depicting an abstract mythological garuda. The wooden sheath has a slender profile surmounted by a rectangular ivory guard protector, and three copper-silver adornments depict spiraling foliate details in repousse. Size (w/ sheath): 4" W x 14.3" H (10.2 cm x 36.3 cm); (length of blade): 10.6" L (26.9 cm).

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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#149396

  • Condition: Copper-silver sheath panels are removable and bear signs of old adhesive beneath. Stable fissures to handle and sheath, with minor abrasions to blade and sheath, and softening to some finer details. Nice patina throughout.

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March 12, 2020 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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