Early 19th C. Javanese Wood Kris Display Board

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CLEARANCE Asian | Antiquities | Ethnographic

By Artemis Gallery

Feb 4, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-02-04 10:00:00 2021-02-04 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : CLEARANCE Asian | Antiquities | Ethnographic https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/clearance-asian-antiquities-ethnographic-6361
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• Lot Description
  **First Time At Auction**
  
  Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Java, ca. early 19th century CE. An impressive hand-carved wooden kris (keris) display board showcasing a scene of two figures in relief and painted in hues of russet, forest green, chocolate brown, black, and ochre. The central narrative shows one tall woman, perhaps Ibu Pertiwi (an Indonesian female deity of nature), on the right wearing a multicolored bird as a dress as she reaches her long arm down to touch the chest (perhaps in a type of blessing gesture) of a shorter figure or child with long hair and a green skirt. Both displaying long, attenuated arms, spindly bodies, and wearing golden headdresses that curve upwards in the back, the two women gaze at each other. Above them are three yellow birds with black spots, black heads, and tapered, gently curved beaks. Alternatively, the verso is mostly bare save for a geometric motif incised across the top consisting of two arches and a zigzagged striations. Eight drill holes shown in the center of the piece allow for two krises to be attached for display, while one on the top is for suspending the board itself. Size: 14" W x 24.625" H (35.6 cm x 62.5 cm)
  
  The kris is both a weapon and a spiritual object. The oldest known are from the 10th century CE; they are thought to have originated on the island of Java. The bladesmith, called an empu, formed the blade from layers of different iron ores and meteorite nickel. In high quality ones, the metal is folded dozens or even hundreds of times. Kris were worn every day and in special ceremonies; both men and women wear them. They were passed down through families. They were also used for display, as talismans with magical powers, and weapons, and as heirlooms, as accessories for ceremonial dress, and indicators of social status.
  
  Provenance: ex-Gomez collection, Colorado, USA
  
  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.
  
  #145239

  Condition

  Eight drill holes in center for attachment to door and one on top for display. Chips to lower right corner and right periphery. Expected surface wear with nicks/chips and abraded areas to surface. Two stable hairline fissures and one surface fissure rise from the bottom to one-third way up the body. Otherwise, very good with nice patina and liberal remains of pigment.
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