Global Art & Artifacts

sumatra

Majapahit Kingdom Sandstone Head Fragment.  Estate find.  Bali.

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    A Majapahit Kingdom – one of the last major Hindu empires of the Malay archipelago – in eastern Java from 1293 to around 1500.  The Majapahit society developed a high degree of sophistication in both commerical and artistic activities . . .  yielding a cosmopolitan population… Continue reading

Unique Rencong Knife.   Weapon of Nobility.  Aceh.  Northern Sumatra.  Indonesia. 

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    Aceh is a semi-autonomous Indonesian province on the northeast tip of the island of Sumatra.  The ethnic group there – the Acehnese – use the Rencong to fight off invaders during the frequent conflicts especially in the mountainous wilderness areas.   Engagement techniques vary depending on the… Continue reading

Batak Shaman Spiritual Staff.  Simalungun People.  Lake Toba. Sumatra 

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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… Continue reading

BOOK:  Rare.  “Art of the Ancestors Nias Batak Dayak”.  Hardcover.  2009.  English.  Alliance Francaise de Singapour

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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 ….  … Continue reading

BOOK:  Islands and Ancestors:  Indigenous Styles of Southeast Asia.  1988.

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  I was able to acquire another LIKE NEW copy of this valuable resource book.  A full 364 pages with numerous illustrations and photographs.   The Metropolitan Museum of Art with editors:  Douglas Newton and Jean Barbier.   This is an excellent coffee table book or a research… Continue reading

Bone Calendar & Diary, Indonesia

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Detail:  Likely a water buffalo rib, this was used as a diary and calendar by tribes.  Note the geckos, serpent and figure drawings.  Likely from Borneo.  Circa mid-1900’s or earlier.  Very good condition.  Quite a remarkable piece and very hard to find. Sorry, this… Continue reading

Batak Piso Halasan Sword / Knife, Sumatra

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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… Continue reading

Antique Tumbuk Lada Keris Sword, Malay Sumatra

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Detail: An aristocrat’s Tumbuk Lada carved from – what I am convinced is – elephant bone. The Tumbuk Lada – translates as “chili crusher” – is a common type of dagger on the Malay Peninsula in Sumatra. Slightly curved with a single sharp edge, the blade is iron. This is… Continue reading

Carved Toba Batak Shaman Pole / Staff, North Sumatra

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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… Continue reading

Batak Medicine Horn / Container, Sumatra

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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… Continue reading
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