A Ceremonial Carved Ivory Kris Handle

A Ceremonial Carved Ivory Kris Handle Depicting The Wrathful Wayang God Bima
Madura, Eastern Java
Once set with semi-precious stones
18th/19th Century
Size: 9cm long – 3½ ins long
Probably no single object so embodies the mythological, spiritual, artistic and technical ideas of Indonesian society as does the Kris. A Javanese proverb lists 5 things essential to a man’s happiness: Wisma (house), Wanital (woman), Kukila (singing bird), Turongga (horse), and Curiga (kris). No other object stimulates as much interest or is held in such esteem and awe. The Jesuit Tomé Pires commented in 1515 that ‘every man in Java, rich or poor, must have a Kris in his house, and a lance and a shield, and no man between the ages of 12 and 80 may go out of doors without a Kris in his belt’.

A Ceremonial Carved Ivory Kris Handle

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ENQUIRIES

+44 (0)7768 236921
+44 (0)7836 684133

enquiries@finch-and-co.co.uk