Southeast Asia, Indonesia, ca. 19th century CE. A hand-carved ox bone handle meant to adorn the tang of a kris dagger. The handle features the top half of an abstract figure above a scalloped base and has muscular arms, fringed shoulder cuffs, and black stones inlaid on his chest. The face features furrowed brows, stone-inlaid eyes, thin lips, and a coiffure lined with hemispherical cavities meant for inlays. Lustrous patina covers the surfaces. Size: 1.125" W x 3.2" H (2.9 cm x 8.1 cm); 3.8" H (9.7 cm) on included custom stand.
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, 1995 to 2010; ex-Ami Brown collection, New York City, USA, 1950 to 1970
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#168038
Condition
Minor nicks to base, face, and body, with extensive ossification to bone as expected, losses to most inlays, and softening to some finer details, otherwise intact and very good. Nice patina throughout. Old inventory label beneath display stand reads that the handle is made of ivory, but this is incorrect.