Magnificent Lustre

Southeast Asian Gold Jewellery and Ornaments from an Asian Private Collection

Online Auction: 1–8 September 2022 • 10:00 AM HKT • Hong Kong

Earrings in Classic Java were made for personal adornment, to be worn in daily life. While functionally the same, these ornaments exist in a variety of shapes and styles. Gold strips or bars were formed into loops and double scrolls, the latter a symbol of fertility. Others are composed of small granules attached to a central band of fused wires. Pronged earrings in the shape of a triangle were also characteristic of the early classic form. Ornaments of more elaborate designs may be set with semi-precious stone, or found with bezels meant to hold precious gems. Additionally, mythology was often incorporated into jewellery design, such as this Singa earring that depicts a beast with protective powers.

Made to be worn by both men and women, gold necklaces in Khmer mainly consisted of intricate cruciform loops or breaded links fashioned into elaborate chains. Owing to Hindu influences from its neighbor India, common motifs included mythological creatures such as Makara or Naga. While the Khmers regarded necklaces as personal ornaments, they were reserved for socioreligious purposes in ancient Sumba. The kanatar was bestowed upon nobility as a royal badge of office, whereas the marangga, often attached to the ends of gold chains, was a signifier of family lineage. Considered dangerous if handled incorrectly, some personal slaves may have worn them on behalf of their masters.

1029

Type: lot

Category: Lot

A solid gold necklace with a crystal intaglio of a fish Khmer, 9th – 14th century | 高棉 九至十四世紀 水晶凹雕魚紋牌飾金項鍊

A solid gold necklace with a crystal intaglio of a fish Khmer, 9th – 14th century | 高棉 九至十四世紀 水晶凹雕魚紋牌飾金項鍊

Estimate: 80,000 – 120,000 HKD

Magnificent Lustre – Southeast Asian Gold Jewellery and Ornaments from an Asian Private Collection

1–8 September 2022 | 2:00 PM HKT | Hong Kong

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1052

Type: lot

Category: Lot

A solid gold necklace with cruciform terminals Khmer, 9th – 14th century | 高棉 九至十四世紀 金索項鍊

A solid gold necklace with cruciform terminals Khmer, 9th – 14th century | 高棉 九至十四世紀 金索項鍊

Estimate: 100,000 – 150,000 HKD

Magnificent Lustre – Southeast Asian Gold Jewellery and Ornaments from an Asian Private Collection

1–8 September 2022 | 2:00 PM HKT | Hong Kong

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1080

Type: lot

Category: Lot

A woven gold chain with flared terminals and repoussé gold discs Sumba, Indonesia, 19th century or earlier | 印尼群島 松巴島 十九世紀或更早 編織金項鍊配金嵌片金盤

A woven gold chain with flared terminals and repoussé gold discs Sumba, Indonesia, 19th century or earlier | 印尼群島 松巴島 十九世紀或更早 編織金項鍊配金嵌片金盤

Estimate: 150,000 – 200,000 HKD

Estimate: 150,000 – 200,000 HKD

Magnificent Lustre – Southeast Asian Gold Jewellery and Ornaments from an Asian Private Collection

1–8 September 2022 | 2:00 PM HKT | Hong Kong

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1101

Type: lot

Category: Lot

A woven gold chain with gold 'Marangga' ornaments Sumba, Indonesia, 19th - 20th century | 印尼群島 松巴島 十九至二十世紀 馬蘭加金項鍊

A woven gold chain with gold 'Marangga' ornaments Sumba, Indonesia, 19th - 20th century | 印尼群島 松巴島 十九至二十世紀 馬蘭加金項鍊

Estimate: 120,000 – 150,000 HKD

Estimate: 120,000 – 150,000 HKD

Magnificent Lustre – Southeast Asian Gold Jewellery and Ornaments from an Asian Private Collection

1–8 September 2022 | 2:00 PM HKT | Hong Kong

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1084

Type: lot

Category: Lot

A solid gold necklace with cruciform terminals Khmer, 9th-14th century | 高棉 九至十四世紀 金索項鍊

A solid gold necklace with cruciform terminals Khmer, 9th-14th century | 高棉 九至十四世紀 金索項鍊

Estimate: 240,000 – 350,000 HKD

Estimate: 240,000 – 350,000 HKD

Magnificent Lustre – Southeast Asian Gold Jewellery and Ornaments from an Asian Private Collection

1–8 September 2022 | 2:00 PM HKT | Hong Kong

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A lingam is an abstract representation of the Hindu god Shiva, often revered as a symbol of fertility and generative power. In contrast to the large size of on-location figures, the objects in this collection are relatively miniature, likely meant to be carried on the body. They also present several variations to the lingam’s original form. This Khmer representation, also known as mukhalinga, features the face of Shiva on its side. Another depicts a lingam on its female counterpart – the yoni. Together, the pair symbolises feminine and masculine, along with creation and regeneration. In India, the lingam may be also paired the Tripundra, consisting three horizontal lines and a dot that reminds its wearer of spiritual aims.

1049

Type: lot

Category: Lot

A Shaivite lingam-shaped gold ring with ‘Tripundra’ India, 19th century | 印度 十九世紀 林伽金戒指

A Shaivite lingam-shaped gold ring with ‘Tripundra’ India, 19th century | 印度 十九世紀 林伽金戒指

Estimate: 50,000 – 70,000 HKD

Magnificent Lustre – Southeast Asian Gold Jewellery and Ornaments from an Asian Private Collection

1–8 September 2022 | 2:00 PM HKT | Hong Kong

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1050

Type: lot

Category: Lot

A gold and a metal lingam Khmer, 7th-12th century | 高棉 七至十二世紀 金林伽及金屬林伽一組兩件

A gold and a metal lingam Khmer, 7th-12th century | 高棉 七至十二世紀 金林伽及金屬林伽一組兩件

Estimate: 80,000 – 100,000 HKD

Estimate: 80,000 – 100,000 HKD

Magnificent Lustre – Southeast Asian Gold Jewellery and Ornaments from an Asian Private Collection

1–8 September 2022 | 2:00 PM HKT | Hong Kong

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1051

Type: lot

Category: Lot

Two gold lingams Khmer, 7th-12th century | 高棉 七至十二世紀 金林伽一組兩件

Two gold lingams Khmer, 7th-12th century | 高棉 七至十二世紀 金林伽一組兩件

Estimate: 40,000 – 60,000 HKD

Estimate: 40,000 – 60,000 HKD

Magnificent Lustre – Southeast Asian Gold Jewellery and Ornaments from an Asian Private Collection

1–8 September 2022 | 2:00 PM HKT | Hong Kong

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