Product Description

Antique Kisar Bowl

Material: Gold alloy
Style: Kisar, Indonesia
Size: Height 3.5 cm, Diameter 8 cm
Order Number: MHSAKB1

Kisar, also known as Yotowawa, is a small island in the Southwestern Moluccas in Indonesia, 25 kilometres northeast of Timor.

During the Majapahit period (13th – 16th centuries) precious gold bowls were given as diplomatic gifts. It’s possible some were given to rulers in the eastern islands. Magnificent bowls of beaten gold were made on Kisar island, perhaps modelled on these bowls.

They were worn  on the top of the head or around the neck on a string as pectoral ornaments hung from the neck on grand ceremonial occasions. The base has been decorated to show four sea creatures, like lobsters, forming a mandala-like centre, ringed with decorative borders, that mirror the outer rim. The double ‘s’  or 8 decorations on the rim are similar to early Ming porcelain.

There is a similar bowl in The Jewelry of Southeast Asia, Ann Richter, Thames & Hudson, 2000, page 250.

19th century or early 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).