Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 87:
In Bali, especially fine keris were sometimes displayed in holders carved in theshape of a person, an animal, or a mythological figure. Elaborate keris holders like this examplewould have been found only in wealthy and aristocratic homes. Wooden keris holders inparticular serve as important examples of the tradition of Indonesian woodcarving. Wooden krisholders range from intricately carved and painted wall plaques to freestanding statues thatpossess slots in their backs or hands into which a keris is fitted. Carved in elaborate and stylizedforms, these items are decorated with vibrant colored paints, semiprecious gems or gold, and, like the keris, range in style and form depending on their place of origin within Indonesia.Freestanding keris holders are made and used more frequently in Bali than any other Indonesianisland. The Balinese style of keris holder usually ranges in height from 15 to 35 inches. Many ofthese holders depict the same bug-eyed, wide-mouthed, and large-toothed zoomorphic protectivespirits or anthropomorphic guardian figures used in and around Indonesia’s Hindu Temples andsacred precincts.This example in the Schmiedt Collection is a fine example of idiosyncratic form and seems torepresent a Balinese prince as opposed to the more common depictions of Hindu mythologicalfigures. The carving is very well formed and retains much of its polychrome paint. There aresome small damages due to age but otherwise in very fine condition.Dates to the 19th to early 20th century.Height : 30"Comparable auction sale:https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/Lot/a-bali-kris-holder-3826799-details.aspxReferences: 1. Frey. E. (1988) The Kris: Mystic Weapons of the Malay World. Oxford UniversityPress2. Castillo, C. (2009) PROTECTIVE ART OF INDONESIA BALINESE KRISHOLDERS FROM THE COLLECTION OF THE BERMAN MUSEUM OFWORLD HISTORY. Dissertation. University of AlabamaDetailed condition reports are not included in this catalog. For additional information, including condition reports, please contact us at [email protected]
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