Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Sumatra, ca. 19th century, Very attractive wooden kris (keris) handle. Deep red/brown mahogany carved in an abstract form, most likely a Garuda, with an enlarged and heavy head, folded legs, with extensive floral (Madura) decoration throughout. What is most important about this hilt from an aesthetic standpoint is the rather exaggerated position of the head, dramatically inclined counterbalanced by the artist's positioning of the arms. Lovely! Custom stand.

For a similar example, though carved from ivory rather than wood, see Vanna Ghiringhelli, Kris Hilts: Masterpieces of South-East Asian Art. 5 Continents Editions, Milan, 2011, p. 99 (rightmost example).

Size: 2.5" W x 3" H (6.4 cm x 7.6 cm)

Provenance: Ex- private collection of Ami Brown. Mr. Brown was the owner of the Coca Cola franchise in Israel and amassed a huge and very fine collection of Indonesian Kris's as well as other ethnographic and tribal arts. His collection numbered more than 3000 pieces with many on display during his life in the Ein Harod Museum of Art.

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.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#113320