Kuyu Staff heads are carried during dances to honor the mythological serpent Ebongo, a tutelary spirit of the Kuyu. Our example is unusually artistic. The turban and collar  More »

Kuyu Staff heads are carried during dances to honor the mythological serpent Ebongo, a tutelary spirit of the Kuyu. Our example is unusually artistic. The turban and collar are very detailed and the face refined. The enamel paint, while worn is bright, making this an attractive art object as well as a fine addition to a collection. As is the case with any we have encountered, the staff has been shortened and a removable base added by a former collector. C.1960. H:19.5" x W:7" on base 20.5" See an example in African Art in American Collections, P382.   « Less

A desireable, low fired terra cotta pot adorned with the head of a noble woman with a hair style influenced by the neighboring Mangbentu People. Probably intended as a ritual  More »

A desireable, low fired terra cotta pot adorned with the head of a noble woman with a hair style influenced by the neighboring Mangbentu People. Probably intended as a ritual vessel. Nice patina on the contact points. No cracks or repairs. 1950 or before. H:16.75" x D:8.5"   « Less

An elegantly rendered sound bar for the flat bar zither used by the Zaromo and Kwere People of Tanzania. The finial is a bust of a noble woman and the mid bar carving seems  More »

An elegantly rendered sound bar for the flat bar zither used by the Zaromo and Kwere People of Tanzania. The finial is a bust of a noble woman and the mid bar carving seems to depict a slide backed by geometrics. In wide use in the 1940's. On a metal display stand. Length 34.5"x3.25"wide.   « Less

Among the Antoni of West Timor, the traditional man's costume always included a twined and woven bag called Aluk. This bag contained his Betel Nut paraphernalia and was  More »

Among the Antoni of West Timor, the traditional man's costume always included a twined and woven bag called Aluk. This bag contained his Betel Nut paraphernalia and was further personalized by the addition of items for use or protection. Our vintage example is banded at the top with Dutch trade beads, the sides bear a three inch twine fringe and the bottom 16 Indonesian copper coins bearing dates of 1942-45, on bead suspensions. The worn strap is adorns with four small bronze Indonesian coins. The items suspended on the bag include a bentwood spoon, a basketry woven, fabric covered container, slender two piece wood container, wood whistle and bronze bell. The fabric is faded with age and use but the bag is in sound condition and is an excellent example of of a mid century Aluk. Bag Size 7.75" x 13" 1940's era.   « Less

A betel nut crusher with a well carved wood handle depicting a Demon. Nice patina on the iron crusher blade. Some wear from use and very slight cracking on the handle but in  More »

A betel nut crusher with a well carved wood handle depicting a Demon. Nice patina on the iron crusher blade. Some wear from use and very slight cracking on the handle but in overall good condition.   « Less

A rarely encountered, complete and original Betel Nut set crafted for a person of importance. The craftsmanship and subtle decoration of these sets indicated the status of  More »

A rarely encountered, complete and original Betel Nut set crafted for a person of importance. The craftsmanship and subtle decoration of these sets indicated the status of the owner. This set is contained within a brass box which has been artfully pierced and chased in a manner which conforms to the Javanese aesthetic of the late 19th C. The interior components are compose of bowls for lime and nuts, a leaf container and covered bowls that probably contained spices and lip salve. In excellent, complete condition. 4.5" x 8".   « Less

A double Kris board for mounting on the wall, inside the door. On entering the house the owner places his or her kris upright in its sheath through the loops on the board. It  More »

A double Kris board for mounting on the wall, inside the door. On entering the house the owner places his or her kris upright in its sheath through the loops on the board. It is thought that this may be to protect the house from evil spirits. Carved in the classic Cirebon style with tendrils and leaves, with the addition of Wayang figures including a Naga at the feet of the standing figures. The wood in excellent condition. The kris loops are missing. There is some white residual around the figures and tendrils as well as on the back suggesting that the board may have, at one time been painted with pigment paint. Size 15"wide by 26" long. Mid 20th C. ex: Sambisari Gallery, Yogyakarta, Java.   « Less

This item has been SOLD. We acquired this very fine Debata Idup couple from a Yogyakarta collection over two decades ago. Debata Idup is first of all a representative of the  More »

This item has been SOLD. We acquired this very fine Debata Idup couple from a Yogyakarta collection over two decades ago. Debata Idup is first of all a representative of the Supreme God "Si Mulajadi na Bolon and according to DR. Jamaluddin S. Hasibuan, Debata Idup in the form of a couple is present in a household to cure the problem of sterility. The Debata Idup were invoked simultaneously by the husband and wife. The effigies being held and worshiped in a prescribed ritual. In addition the Debata Idup was the protector of the house, its occupants and their fields. Both figures have the old receptacles in their chests, where the Datu placed the empowering magic called pupik. The female is wrapped in an "Ijuke" blanket which further empowers her. The receptacle plugs were removed long ago and only residual of the pupik remains. Nice patina and some encrustation. The feet and areas on the bodies show minor losses. Accompanied by custom metal display stands. Height, male 12", female 11.5". Mid 20th C.   « Less

This item has been SOLD. A very fine quality Batak figure that has been called both a Samboan or ancestor figure and a Pagar or protection figure. The absence of the hollowed  More »

This item has been SOLD. A very fine quality Batak figure that has been called both a Samboan or ancestor figure and a Pagar or protection figure. The absence of the hollowed area in the head or chest, which is filled with magic called pupik, lessens the Pagar attribution, yet the figure could also be empowered with offering placed at his feet in receptacles. We can only speculate. This figure is part of a Seattle collection that we acquired almost two decades ago. A very refined figure, standing in the classic bent knee posture, with arms forward across the lower torso holding a head. Rich, dark patina with surface losses around the head along with minor dents and mild cracking, (as shown), this is a very fine example of a classic Toba Batak figure. Accompanied by a custom metal display stand. Height 13.75". Mid 20th Century   « Less

This item has been SOLD. Originally from a Seattle collection and in our collection for almost two decades, a very fine example of a Batak Pagar. Pagar are created and used  More »

This item has been SOLD. Originally from a Seattle collection and in our collection for almost two decades, a very fine example of a Batak Pagar. Pagar are created and used by the Batak village Datu or priest for the purpose of protecting houses, fields and people from malevolent spirits called Begu. They can be found in various quality, sizes and postures but always with a plugged hole in the torso or head that contains pupik or the magic substance that empowers the figure. This figure is notable in its artistic execution. One can only speculate about the symbolism of the child beyond the known fact that much of the power of the pupik magic has to do with a child selected by the Datu. The plug in the head of this pagar has been removed in order to remove its power, although there is residual pupik in the hole and remnants of rice flower around the feet. The over all condition is very good with loss only to the base, as shown. There are the usual nicks and slight dents, with dark rich patina on the contact points. A custom metal stand accompanies the piece. Size: H,16.5", W,2.75", 3" front to back. First half of the 20th C.   « Less