A FINE AND RARE MAJAPAHIT DRAGON KENDI

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A FINE AND RARE MAJAPAHIT DRAGON KENDI :
$449.44

MAJABALI

CELEBRATING OVER 16 YEARS OF SELLING INTERNATIONALLY ON

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In this lot we are pleased tooffer a very rare and magnificent bronze kundika or kendi, as it is morepopularly called these days, from Eastern Java, Majapahit Dynasty, and datingfrom the 13th century.

This naga (dragon) spoutedkendi is a museum quality masterpiece having exceptional detailing, and itbeing in such fine original condition.

Please note that our lastphotograph in this listing illustrates a very similar example in the collectionof the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and illustrated on page 140 in the book DivineBronze. That one is 30 cm inheight.

The long tapering neck withmouldings in the form of simplified parasols (chattra, payung) and ornate lotuspetals resembling rock motifs symbolizes the cosmic mountain Mahameru which wasused as a churning stick by the gods when they churned the ocean in order toproduce the amrta (elixir of life). Theassociation of this type of kendi with amrta is clearly seen in a relief stoneon the Candi Kidal near Malang in East Java where Garuda, who has stolen theamrta of the gods is represented holding a similar naga spouted kendi(kundika).

To this day in Bali, variousforms of kendi are used as a holy water vessels in temples throughout the island.

This kendi is in excellentoriginal condition and it retains a multi colored patina ranging from verdigristo ultramarine color. It measures 26.5cm or about 10 ½ inches in height and itweighs 900 grams or about 2 pounds. Asnormal with ancient Javanese bronze sculptures it is cast in the lost waxcasting method with additional details being rendered with hand chasing andchiseling techniques.

The interest in ancientJavanese bronzes has greatly increased in recent years as evidenced by salerecords.

Please use the safe linkbelow to view an Indonesian bronze of the Buddha ascribed to the 8thcentury and sold earlier this year by Christies for US $22,500.00.

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And in that same Christiessale is this example which fetched US $5,000.00

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