Indonesia, Bali, 16th - 17th century, Anthropomorphic kriss handle in copper alloy

Indonesia, East Java / Bali Island 16th - 17th century Anthropomorphic kriss handle Copper alloy 15.6 x 5.3 cm Excellent condition Former German private collection Kriss handle representing a female deity depicted standing barefoot, legs bent and resting on a circular base. She is dressed in a floral-patterned sarong held at the waist by a richly worked belt and covering the back of the subject in a long piece of fabric with floral and diamond patterns, the chest covered by a silk fabric plated in two hemmed pieces falling from the shoulders. The subject is richly adorned with heavy ornate bracelets on the arms and wrists as well as a large necklace decorated with a massive pectoral, the arms bent, pressed against the body, the hands with oversized nails each holding a piece of belt. The face slightly inclined to the right is characterized by fine incised eyebrows overhanging two lenticular eyes as well as an aquiline nose above a mouth with a broad smile revealing the teeth. The ears decorated with rich circular ornaments, a tiara with finely worked fleurons, the hairstyle with rare elegance and brought back into a clever bun is decorated with swirling locks falling in a long braid to the lower back. A stylized head of Garuda holds the hair at the back of the skull.

Dimensions :
- Height : 15.6 cm cm
- Width : 5.3 cm cm