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THB19th C. Balinese Bone Kris Handle - Demon / Raksasa
Lot 168a
About Seller
Artemis Fine Arts
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
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Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$600 - $900
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| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $25 |
| $300 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $20,000 |
About Auction
Live
By Artemis Fine Arts
Aug 22, 2025
Set Reminder
2025-08-22 10:00:00
2025-08-22 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Indigenous Art - Ralph T. Coe Center, Santa Fe, NM
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/indigenous-art---ralph-t-coe-center-santa-fe-nm-20324
Featuring works of art from the Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a non-profit focused on promoting Indigenous Arts globally. All proceeds from the sale of these items will support future grants to Rehoming Program participants. Artemis Fine Arts info@artemisfinearts.com
Featuring works of art from the Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a non-profit focused on promoting Indigenous Arts globally. All proceeds from the sale of these items will support future grants to Rehoming Program participants. Artemis Fine Arts info@artemisfinearts.com
View Full Catalog (452)
- Lot Description
Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Bali, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. An exquisitely carved ungulate bone handle once adorning a Balinese kris (dagger), depicting a fierce raksasa - the demonic ogre figures of Hindu-Balinese tradition. With bulging eyes, wide snarling mouth, and intricately detailed headdress, the figure radiates an energy both protective and formidable. The body is adorned with elaborate ornamentation, the arms bent and poised above a base carved with lotus-like motifs, while the back reveals finely incised patterns suggestive of ceremonial textiles or armor. In pre-colonial Bali, the kris was far more than a weapon. It was a sacred heirloom, a potent talisman, and a symbol of social standing. Nearly every Balinese man possessed one, yet the most esteemed krisses were the domain of royalty, their handles fashioned from precious materials such as bone or gold and often encrusted with gems. The raksasa form, like that seen here, embodied supernatural protection, serving as both a fearsome guardian and a reminder of the dagger's spiritual potency. Size: 1" W x 3.9" H (2.5 cm x 9.9 cm); 5.5" H (14 cm) on included custom stand.
The kris blade was the true heart of the weapon, forged by revered metalworkers whose craft was viewed as a form of alchemy - transforming raw ores with the dangerous power of fire into objects that were at once practical and magical. Handles such as this elevated the kris from a martial instrument to a work of art and a vessel of ancestral power, ensuring its place in the intertwined worlds of ritual, mythology, and status.
Provenance: private Wichita, Kansas, USA collection
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.
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#196610Light surface wear and areas of natural ossification at top and near opening at base. Otherwise, intact and excellent with impressive detail.Condition
- Shipping Info
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