Indonesian Antiquities

This extraordinary piece of art from Southeast Asia exudes an ancient charm that transcends time, telling stories of distant traditions and cultures. Dating back to the late 19th century, this work is a testament to the skill and dedication of the artisans of that era, who infused life and soul into every detail. The gong, the undisputed protagonist of this composition, is made of copper and features a dark patina that accentuates its antique and mystical character. This aged surface, which softens its original shine, adds depth and mystery, almost whispering the stories and rituals for which it was used. Supporting the gong is a solid wooden structure, painted in a lacquered red that, despite the marks of time, retains a timeless beauty. The traces of wear reveal layers of underlying color, giving the piece a lived-in and authentic charm, as if it had witnessed countless ceremonies and sacred moments. Alongside the main gong, two small gongs...

The bulbous body is adorned with elegantly carved floral motifs, with intertwining vines and flowers forming a natural, flowing pattern. The base is left unglazed. Base surface crack...

A Dutch colonial ebony cabinet with brass mounts on contemporary black steel frame Batavia (Jakarta), 2nd half 17th century The cabinet has two ...

The back side edges have been dipped in four places with brown, probably iron-oxide. The well of the bowl is freely painted in deep green and coffee coloured brown. These are charact...

The edges have been dipped in four places with brown, probably iron-oxide. The well of the bowl is freely painted in deep green and coffee coloured brown. These are characteristic fe...

Traditional Tribal Mandau (Parang Ilang) Sword – Dayak People, Borneo The Mandau is a traditional sword of the Dayak people of Borneo, revered both as a cultural artifact and a weap...

A Chinese blue and white Kraak plate, the central roundel depicting birds and floral design in a waterside, the rim with panels enclosing foliage and decorative objects. Period: Late Ming-Early Qing Dynasty (17th century) Type: Blue and White Porcelain Provenance : Acquired early 2000s from Southeast asia(Probably from Shipwreck) Reference : 1) Sotheby's London 12 November 2019 - STYLE: Private Collections - Lot 12 (Price range : 3,000GBP-5,000GBP / Type : Closely related) 2) Christies NEW YORK - 1–11 MAY 2018 - THE COLLECTION OF PEGGY AND DAVID ROCKEFELLER: ONLINE SALE - Lot 1405 (Price realised : 5,625 USD / Type : Highly related) * Kraak Kraak porcelain is a type of Chinese export porcelain that was produced during the late Ming Dynasty, especially during the reign of the Wanli Emperor (1573-1620). It is famous for its distinctive design and style. Kraak ware...

The edges have been dipped in four places with brown, probably iron-oxide. The well of the bowl is freely painted in deep green and coffee coloured brown. These are characteristic fe...

Antique teak wood cabinet with an espresso lacquer. Great storage or organizer. Circa 1950. This cabinet was hand made in the spirit of Wabi-Sabi, a Japanese philosophy that beauty ...

Five tea bowls, which have been salvaged from the Tek Sing, each decorated with aster sprays within a dot-dash line and featuring rims with a narrow band of dots between two parallel...

Beautiful antique shell inlaid chest originally used for storing blankets. Original hard ware and remnants of paint on this one of a kind chest perfect for storing or for a small cof...

An Indonesian Peranakan mother-of-pearl inlaid mastic sirih casket with silver mounts Jakarta (Batavia), circa 1720-1730, the silver hinges marked for Batavia, maker’s mark HS or SH...

The edges have been dipped in four places with brown, probably iron-oxide. The well of the bowl is freely painted in deep green and coffee coloured brown. These are characteristic fe...

Ethnographic Fish Scale Hat Handmade Molucca, Indonesia.

Unusual Balinese monkey mask-most probably a representation of Hanuman Here is some more info from Ubud. Mask-making is one of the oldest art-forms in the world. In Bali, masks (t...

Jakarta (Batavia), 18th century, apparently unmarked L. 14 x W. 9.5 x H. 4.7 cm Before settling down to business in the former Dutch East Indies, sirih had to be offered in the mos...

Worn by adult noblewomen high on the head, like a crown. These hand cut combs from Sumba are usually hand carved from mottled tortoiseshell or occasionally from buffalo horn. These t...

Batavia (Jakarta), or Sri Lanka, circa 1680-1720 The document or money box is densely carved with fine scrolling vines and lotus flowers. It has a charming heart- shapes silver lock...

Earthenware holy water recipient from Java, Indonesia. The vessel is also known as “kendi”, and go back as far as the 13th-15th century, when some indigenous groups were still Christ...

Batavia (Jakarta), or Sri Lanka, circa 1680-1720 The document or money box is densely carved with fine scrolling vines and lotus flowers. It has a charming heart- shapes silver lock...

Exquisite pair of antique Indonesian or Javanese gilt bronze deities. The previous owner believes they are the 15th century and that they originally share...

Exquisitely decorated set of plates, dating back to around 1500, from the Hongzhi or Zhengde period. Intricately adorned with a raised, moulded goldfish design. The goldfish, painted in a orange-red enamel, are set amidst water plants depicted in rich cobalt blue. These plates enjoyed widespread popularity, not only in the local markets of China but also overseas in countries. This style of plate played a significant role in the daily life of the Sengoku period in Japan, as evidenced by several similar flat bowls excavated from the Ichijodani Asakura Ruins in Fukui Prefecture, Japan, along with other ceramic artifacts...

A figurative construction ceramic probably a water collector simply modeled, this head is very expressive and the details can clearly be seen. The Trowulan archaeological site, approximately 100 square kilometres, located in the Mojokerto Regency is believed to contain the remains of what was once the capital city of the Majapahit Empire, featured by 14th century poet Mpu Prapanca in his poem Nagarakretagama. The city was razed during a fight between Girindrawardhana and Kertabhumi in 1478. The Trowulan site is the only archaeological site dating to the Hindu-Buddha classical age to be found in Indonesia. Archaeological remnants and artefacts of the old city in the Trowulan Site were found buried underground as well as on the surface and are still being found today.rtefact:Majapahit terracotta...

A natural brain coral specimen named as such for its distinct resemblance to the human brain. Its bulbous shape is naturally formed with deep grooves created over centuries beneath t...

The sculpture captures a moment of serene grace, as the woman delicately holds her hair with her right hand, exuding an air of elegance rarely found in similar works. What makes this piece particularly unique is its unusual coloration: unlike most terracotta figures, which typically exhibit reddish-brown tones, this figure has darkened over time to a striking grey-black-brown hue. This transformation occurred due to centuries of submersion in the mud of the Brantas River, where the natural elements enriched the statue with its distinct coloration (refer to the photos of discoveries during the extraction of other statues, as seen on pages 16-17 of the catalog). Originating from the Trowulan region in East Java, this handmaiden figure is documented on page 161 as figure number 28 in the Majapahit catalog and stands as a rare example of terracotta craftsmanship from this ancient civilization. The piece has been carefully studied and authenticated by Professor Agus Aris Munandar, a distinguished scholar in Indonesian archaeology. Professor Munandar, born in 1959, is currently the professor of Indonesian Archaeology at the University of Indonesia in Jakarta. His extensive research focuses on Hindu-Buddhist archaeology, iconography, and the ancient history of Indonesia and Southeast Asia. He served as a member of the Indonesian team of experts at National Cultural Heritage from 2015 to 2018 and previously held the role of Head of Institute and Research at the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Indonesia. Now the head of the Department of Archaeology at the University of Indonesia, Professor Munandar has authored numerous articles and 19 books, many of which delve into Majapahit culture and artifacts, solidifying his reputation as a leading scholar in the field. This extraordinary figure is accompanied by a preface from Professor Massimo Vidale of the University of Padua, who offers invaluable insights into the significance of Majapahit terracotta...

A gorgeously patinated bronze pedestal offering tray, talam, Central Javanese Period, Java, 8th-10th century. The offering tray of beautiful form and proportions, with a splayed a...

Immerse yourself in the captivating legacy of the Majapahit Empire with this rare and beautifully preserved 15th-century terracotta handmaiden figure. Depicting a fertile woman tenderly holding her child, this evocative sculpture symbolizes the deep-rooted cultural values of fertility, family, and domestic protection that were integral to Majapahit society. These figures were often kept in households as guardians of the hearth, believed to bring prosperity and ensure the well-being of the family. This statue radiates a sense of ancient spirituality and reverence. Its connection to both the sacred and the everyday life of Majapahit culture makes it a fascinating piece for collectors and historians alike. Hailing from the esteemed Trowulan region in East Java, this rare piece has journeyed through centuries before finding its place in the private collection of Anacleto Spazzapan. Documented in the Majapahit catalog on page 144 as figure number 11, it has been meticulously studied and authenticated by Professor Agus Aris Munandar, a prominent authority in Indonesian archaeology. Professor Munandar, born in 1959, is currently the professor of Indonesian Archaeology at the University of Indonesia in Jakarta. His extensive research focuses on Hindu-Buddhist archaeology, iconography, and the ancient history of Indonesia and Southeast Asia. He served as a member of the Indonesian team of experts at National Cultural Heritage from 2015 to 2018 and previously held the role of Head of Institute and Research at the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Indonesia. Now the head of the Department of Archaeology at the University of Indonesia, Professor Munandar has authored numerous articles and 19 books, many of which delve into Majapahit culture and artifacts, solidifying his reputation as a leading scholar in the field. Professor Munandar's endorsement, complemented by a preface from Professor Massimo Vidale of the University of Padua, offers invaluable insights into the religious and decorative significance of Majapahit terracotta...

This impressive, large-sized circular bowl, featuring hues of blue and white, showcases decoration through a block print technique. It is adorned with two horizontal bands of shou ch...

A stunning and rare Javanese bronze footed offering vessel and cover, Central Javanese Period, 8th-10th century. The ritual offering vessel of elega...

Earthenware holy water recipient from Java, Indonesia. The vessel is also known as “kendi”, and go back as far as the 13th-15th century, when some indigenous groups were still Christ...

Early 20th. Century Drum from the island of Sumba in Eastern Indonesia, this large double -headed ceremonial drum called LAMBA is unique to the people of Sumba, the drum is beautifu...