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Batak tribes are well known for their carved medicine containers like this (see C-7734, for another). This one is less artistic and more functional, but using the traditional motifs of the Singa (protective creature) and ASO (human-like heads).
Functional? This particular container was used (lightly)…
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- Item Number: C-0450
- Provenance/Origin: Halangan. N. Sumatra. Age unknown.
- Composition: Wood, metal, cord
- Dimensions: 10" long x 4.5" deep x 5.25" tall
- Weight: 1.25 pounds
- Price: $ 110.00 USD
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Sumatra is just one island of the 17,000 islands in the chain called Indonesia. The cultures specific to different islands have long been isolated from one another resulting is significant diversity. Sumatra – one of Indonesia’s largest islands – it is home to the Batak tribes.
Shamen…
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- Item Number: O-6032
- Provenance/Origin: Simalungun Shaman. Lake Toba. Early 1990s
- Composition: Hardwood, hair
- Dimensions: 63" long x 2.0 - 2.5" diameter of head at top
- Weight: 2.5 pounds
- Price: $ 1,475.00 USD
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Indonesian tribal art is among the most intriguing and varied in the world. There are as many styles and expressions as there are ethnic and cultural groups. Each of these groups produces unique objects of great interest and beauty that are used in rituals and ceremonies …. …
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- Item Number: R-4712
- Provenance/Origin: Alliance Francaise de Singapour. 92 pages with color photos
- Dimensions: 15.25" tall x 10.25" wide
- Price: $ 145.00 USD
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Detail: Hilt and scabbard are carved from bone or from some resin composite material (although I have never seen a resin composite come out of Sumatra that is this old). ASO (human-like) traditional figures are carved at both ends and insects, geckos and plant life are carved on…
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- Item Number: W-1605
- Provenance/Origin: Sumatra. Circa mid- to late-1900's
- Composition: Bone or composite
- Dimensions: 17.5" long. Blade is 10" long
- Weight: .5 pound
- Price: $125.00 USD
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Detail: Shaman’s staffs (Tunggal Panahuan) were used in magic ceremonies to protect against the actions of enemies. In addition, these staffs were used as a prophetic tool for diagnosing the spiritual causes of a disease. They derive their power from a specially prepared ritual substance called Pupuk. Pupuk attracts ancestor…
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- Item Number: O-8601
- Provenance/Origin: North Sumatra. Circa mid- 1900's
- Composition: Wood and hair
- Dimensions: 74" long without hair tuft. 3.5" thickest diameter.
- Weight: 5.5 pounds
- Price: $525.00 USD
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Detail: From Batak tribes of Northern Sumatra. Wood and buffalo horn. Naga / Singa head in front with ASO heads (human-like ancestor spirits) on the back and on the tip of the horn. A Cicak (a small nocturnal lizard found in most houses) is carved into the horn representing deities…
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- Item Number: C-3622
- Provenance/Origin: Sumatra. Circa mid-1900's or earlier
- Composition: Wood and Buffalo horn
- Dimensions: 12.5" tallest x 12.5" widest
- Weight: 1.5 pounds
- Price: $195.00 USD
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Detail: This medicine container was used by the Batak Tribes in Sumatra. Carved from one piece of wood. Singa (mythical protective creatures) heads are looking up on each end of the box. An ASO (human-like head) adorns the top of the lid. These boxes are used to store medicines or…
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- Item Number: C-7734
- Provenance/Origin: Sumatra. Circa mid- to late- 1900's
- Composition: Wood
- Dimensions: 13.25" wide x 6.5" tall
- Weight: 1 pound
- Price: $195.00 USD
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Carved from hardwood with intricate and traditional motifs. Storage box for jewelry and/or medicine. Crafted in the mid-1900’s.
This item has been sold. Thanks S.C !!
- Item Number: S-6484
- Provenance/Origin: Sumatra. Mid 1900s.
- Composition: Wood.
- Dimensions: 14.25" tall x 5.5" widest
- Weight: 3 pounds
- Price: $325.00 USD
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Detail: This is a Raja (village headman) box used to store valuable heirlooms and jewelry. The male Singha heads on each end are mythical protective creatures. Note the human figures beneath the Singha heads. A Cicak (a small nocturnal lizard commonly found in houses) carved on top represents deities who…
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- Item Number: C-9758
- Provenance/Origin: Village North Sumatra. Circa late 19th to early 20th Century
- Composition: Wood, perhaps Ireng
- Dimensions: 24" wide x 13" tall x 12" deep
- Weight: 23.75 pounds
- Price: $575.00 USD
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Detail: This horn / container comes from the Toba Batak people of North Sumatra. Buffalo horn and carved wood. Naga (serpent / dragon) head, ASO heads (human-like) and fern motifs are carved by a single craftsman. Used for herbs and medicines. This size is rare.…
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- Item Number: C-6032
- Provenance/Origin: Toba people. Age unknown.
- Composition: Horn and wood
- Dimensions: 15" tall x 22" wide
- Weight: 5 pounds
- Price: $675.00 USD
