Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Java, Majapahit Empire, ca. 1293 to 1527 CE. A finely-preserved sculpture of a seated man, hand-carved from creamy white limestone and meticulously smoothed to a uniform texture. The man sits atop an ample posterior with one leg bent to his side, rests each arm atop his knees, and has a portly abdomen protruding above flowing pants. A detailed ceremonial sword known as a kris (also keris) is cinched along his waist line with a twisted belt, and his neck is adorned with lightly-incised necklaces. His stylized visage is turned slightly to the right and boasts thin almond-shaped eyes, a wide nose, a neatly-groomed mustache above a chinstrap beard which terminates in a point atop the chin, and large ears with drooping lobes, all beneath a bulbous coiffure surmounted by a spiraling bulb. The royal figure exudes an air of regality based on his corpulent stature and relaxed pose, and traces of original red and white pigmentation suggest this figure was at one time painted in vivid pigments. Size: 6.4" W x 8.9" H (16.3 cm x 22.6 cm).
Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-Dr. Sid Port collection, California, USA, acquired in the 1980s
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.
#137777
Condition
Repair to one ear lobe and stabilization to fissure beneath right leg, with small chips and light adhesive residue along break lines. Loss to a few toes on one foot, with minor nicks and abrasions to base, body, and head, light softening to some finer details, and light encrustations within some recessed areas. Traces of original pigmentation in scattered areas, and nice earthen deposits throughout. Old inventory label beneath base.