usd13,000 keris hilt (exc premium)

[Green]

The more I learn about keris the more I don't know about keris.
Can someone explain what is so special about this keris hilt to fetch such a high price in the just completed auction.

Auction description is v brief.

Description
An ivory kris or keris ukiran grip in the form of Ganesha. 18th century. Bali, Indonesia. 5 1/8" x 2" x 2"

[Gustav]

It isn't a keris hilt, even if perhaps used as such at some time.

So, this is a different field (Burma, Siam), and no idea about rarity/value of this hilt in that context.

[Green]

Yes, it looks more like Dha hmyaung hilt than keris hilt although the description stated that it is a Bali kris ukiran. Even if it is dha's hilt , the price seems v high.

[A. G. Maisey]

Ever heard of bidding rings?