Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Madura or East Java, ca. late 19th century CE. An ivory hilt of a curved shape, reminiscent of an unfurling fern, carved so meticulously with an ornate decorative program befitting a high kris from Madura. The iconographic program features the most wondrous motif seen on Madurese krisses, the winged horse, once the military trophy of the sultan of Sumenep.

According to David van Durren, "The horse recalls a marvelous occurrence from the reign of the legendary Jaka Tule, prince of Sumenep and son-in-law of Brawijaya, the last king of Majapahit. This Brawijaya wanted to add a large iron gate to his palace, but, as it turned out, no craftsman in all of Java was up to this task. Teh Madurese Tule and his foster father Empu Keling, a master smith, had to be called for. Together they executed the impossible task, to Brawijaya's utter contentment. While the two men were still in Java, one of the Brawijawa's horses escaped. No one dared approach the irritable stallion, except for the Madurese guests. When confronted by Tule, the horse became so meek that it kneeled down and looked back at him. This got the prince his epithet and attribute: Kudah Panoleh or 'Horse Looking Back'." (David van Duuren, The Kris: An Earthly Approach to a Cosmic Symbol. Netherlands: Pictures Publishers, 1998, p. 71.

In addition to the marvelous winged horse near the base of one side of the handle, several dragons make an appearance on the hilt, one opposite the winged horse, and two others at the curved end of the handle. The dragon was a very popular Madurese kris ornament as well, inspired by Dutch heraldry.

A very rare and special kris handle, so impressive for its artistry, technique, and highly symbolic iconography. Custom stand. Size: 1.5" W x 3.5" H (3.8 cm x 8.9 cm)

African Ivory. Bidders should be aware of the changing laws regarding commercialization of ivory and other product containing endangered species both on the Federal and State levels. This lot will be accompanied by a signed affidavit from the client that this object was in the United States prior to January 18, 1990, and is to the best of their knowledge and ability made prior to February 26, 1976 in accordance with Federal law. Ivory cannot be shipped out of the United States or to New York or New Jersey, and will not be shipped to California after June 30, 2016.

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.

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#113366

A tiny stress crack to the base. Otherwise intact and near choice.