Antique hand-carved wooden Hanuman temple guardian Kris-holder 19th century

Unique object — definitively unavailable after sale. This museum-quality Hanuman Kris holder is an extremely rare, functional historical find directly from the sacred temple culture of Bali. Only one example of this specific masterpiece exists worldwide.

Bring ultimate spiritual protection into your living space. This monumental masterpiece is specifically designed to hold and guard a sacred kris (dagger), serving as an exclusive, highly conversation-starting eye-catcher in any high-end interior.

• ✓ Authentic antique: 100% verified sacred object from the late 19th century (c. 1880–1910)
• ✓ Rare functionality: Original, hand-carved Balinese Kris holder (Keris bearer)
• ✓ Masterful craftsmanship: Fully hand-carved from one solid piece of indigenous tropical hardwood (2 kg)
• ✓ Authentic polychromy: Features original mineral paint layers and traditional prada (gold leaf) remnants
• ✓ Worry-free delivery: Worldwide, fully insured, and weight-secured shipping
• ✓ Assurance: Includes official certificate of authenticity from 1stbuddha

The Spiritual Power: Hanuman as Guardian of the Sacred Kris

Within Balinese tradition, the kris is not merely a dagger but a spiritually charged object reflecting the owner's soul. This impressive sculpture is specifically carved to hold these sacred weapons with the utmost reverence:

• The Ultimate Temple Guardian (Dwarapala): With his bared fangs and imposing expression, Hanuman wards off negative energies. His specially shaped hands are molded to present the kris safely and respectfully, ensuring the blade never touches the ground.
• Courage and Loyal Protection: Hanuman embodies unconditional loyalty, strength, and protection. As a kris bearer, he intensifies the protective energy in the space where he is placed.
• An Exclusive Cultural-Historical Piece: The combination of centuries-old tropical hardwood, the subtle shimmer of traditional gold leaf (prada), and its rare function as a kris holder makes this a dream object for the serious connoisseur of Asian art.

Forensic Analysis & Material-Technical Authenticity

The exceptional museum status and historical value of this kris holder are unequivocally supported by specific, forensic markers across its entire surface:

• Ancient Sedimentation: Deeply embedded in the detailed relief carvings and deep folds of the wood is a fossilized matrix of black temple soot and compressed incense ash. This is irrefutable proof of decades of active use on a living altar.
• Micro-Craquelure of the Polychromy: The original organic paint layers exhibit a magnificent, microscopic craquelure structure. This natural aging process of the mineral pigments is the fingerprint of time and cannot be artificially replicated.
• Organic Friction Patina: On the prominent contact zones—and specifically the support points where the kris historically rested—the wood has been completely smoothed by generations of manual handling and ritual touches, acquiring a beautiful, natural friction sheen.
• Artisan Chisel Marks: The facial features show clear, manual chisel marks and a characteristic, asymmetrical execution. This testifies to a purely pre-industrial carving process from a single monolithic block of hardwood.

Specifications

• Chronology: Late 19th Century (c. 1880–1910)
• Function: Sacred Kris Holder / Keris Bearer
• Origin: Bali, Indonesia (Sacred Temple Architecture / Altar Guardian)
• Material: Solid, monolithic indigenous tropical hardwood
• Finish: Original weathered mineral polychromy with traditional prada (gold leaf) remnants
• Height: 25.5 cm
• Width: 17.0 cm
• Weight: 2.0 kg
• Condition: Top-Tier Museum Class (100% verified authentic with intact historical patina)

Each object is examined before it is offered: material, casting or carving technique, surface, and signs of age are compared with documented references. You will receive a certificate of authenticity and an official invoice detailing the period, material, and available provenance.

How we verify authenticity

Fully insured worldwide shipping in museum-quality packaging. Returns are sent to our Dutch address and you have a 14-day cooling-off period.

Read the shipping policy and the refund policy.

Pay securely at checkout with credit card, Klarna, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. The certificate of authenticity and the invoice are included in the price.