INDONESIA, EASTERN JAVA, 13TH/14TH CENTURY

The exact use of this exquisite object of astounding craftsmanship is not known, but the refinement and fragility suggests a ceremonial purpose. While it resembles the hilt of a sword, a less well preserved piece of virtually identical shape in the inventory of the Jakarta National Museum (inv. no. A86) is described as the finial of a parasol; for a further discussion, see J. Fontein, The Sculpture of Indonesia, 1900, p. 286; and another example in H. Jessup, Court Arts of Indonesia, 1990, fig. 164/no. 33, p. 208, dated as early as 8th-9th century.