Indonesia, Island of Nias: A rare, old knife belonging to a nobleman, with ivory handle.
Indonesia, Island of Nias: A rare, old knife belonging to a nobleman, with ivory handle.
A knife (called ‘Si Euli’) with long, narrow, straight and single-edged iron blade, corroded as a result of age. The angled hilt in the form of a stylised animal head is made of very old ivory. It rests on a ring of cast brass decorated with spiral motifs. The sheath of hard, black wood is carved in the typical basic form of Nias knives at its upper end (‘boat’): at the centre, on either side, is a floral decoration in relief. The long, angular projection on one side of the sheath (6 cm) is carved with bands and linear hatchings. On the other side is an arm with a clenched fist turned upwards, three-dimensionally carved from the same piece (very rare!). From an eyelet carved out from the same piece in the lower section hang five brass chains with four old bells and a cast brass hook with an ornamental décor of circle, cross and line motifs. The sheath is entirely wrapped with fine brass wire and features a flat and lancet-shaped iron ‘shoe’ at the bottom, which projects diagonally to one side (7.4 cm). A typical ornamental and prestige knife of a nobleman or chief from North Nias. With old usage patina and minor age damage: A rarity! 19th century, or earlier. L: c. 40 cm. (ME) ASA
Provenance: German private collection.
Lit.: ‘Nias Sculpture’ by Sibeth & Carpenter, ill. 30, 31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 40, 41; ‘Traditional weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago’ by A. G. van Zonneveld, p. 123, ill. 497–500.
Esperto: Prof. Erwin Melchardt
Prof. Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
05.11.2014 - 13:00
- Stima:
-
EUR 1.600,- a EUR 2.000,-
Indonesia, Island of Nias: A rare, old knife belonging to a nobleman, with ivory handle.
A knife (called ‘Si Euli’) with long, narrow, straight and single-edged iron blade, corroded as a result of age. The angled hilt in the form of a stylised animal head is made of very old ivory. It rests on a ring of cast brass decorated with spiral motifs. The sheath of hard, black wood is carved in the typical basic form of Nias knives at its upper end (‘boat’): at the centre, on either side, is a floral decoration in relief. The long, angular projection on one side of the sheath (6 cm) is carved with bands and linear hatchings. On the other side is an arm with a clenched fist turned upwards, three-dimensionally carved from the same piece (very rare!). From an eyelet carved out from the same piece in the lower section hang five brass chains with four old bells and a cast brass hook with an ornamental décor of circle, cross and line motifs. The sheath is entirely wrapped with fine brass wire and features a flat and lancet-shaped iron ‘shoe’ at the bottom, which projects diagonally to one side (7.4 cm). A typical ornamental and prestige knife of a nobleman or chief from North Nias. With old usage patina and minor age damage: A rarity! 19th century, or earlier. L: c. 40 cm. (ME) ASA
Provenance: German private collection.
Lit.: ‘Nias Sculpture’ by Sibeth & Carpenter, ill. 30, 31, 32, 33, 35, 36, 40, 41; ‘Traditional weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago’ by A. G. van Zonneveld, p. 123, ill. 497–500.
Esperto: Prof. Erwin Melchardt
Prof. Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
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lun-ven: 10.00 - 17.00
kundendienst@dorotheum.at +43 1 515 60 200 |
| Asta: | Tribal Art |
| Tipo d'asta: | Asta in sala |
| Data: | 05.11.2014 - 13:00 |
| Luogo dell'asta: | Wien | Palais Dorotheum |
| Esposizione: | 31.10. - 05.11.2014 |