Null Batak horn, Sumatra
Wood and small antelope horn
H. 19.5 cm
Batak horn, S…

Description

Batak horn, Sumatra Wood and small antelope horn H. 19.5 cm Batak horn, Sumatra H. 7 11/16 in This horn, whose cap represents a squatting figure, contained a "medicine" (Pupuk) used by healers.

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Batak horn, Sumatra Wood and small antelope horn H. 19.5 cm Batak horn, Sumatra H. 7 11/16 in This horn, whose cap represents a squatting figure, contained a "medicine" (Pupuk) used by healers.

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Estim. 900 - 1 500 EUR

A WOOD MEDICINE HORN-SHAPED CONTAINER ''NAGA MARSARANG'' Indonesia, Sumatra North, Toba-Batak,19th or early 20th c. L. 67,5 cm An outstanding magic horn or medicine container of a high-ranking datu shaman of the Toba-Batak in North Sumatra. The horn, which comes from a water buffalo bull, is in two parts and has a smooth body and an elaborately carved lid on which seven human figures are grouped in a row. They sit on the neck of a dragon- or horse-like tutelary god singa, whose mouth extends over the head of a figure standing in a slight crouching position. This is not to be interpreted as being eaten, but is an intimate protective gesture that refers to the fact that the singa is the ancestor of the first ancestors. The end of the horn shows a crouching human figure. The elaborate clasp is made of wood. It shows the predecessors of the datu in successive order. The singa always has a crown-like head crest, pronounced eyes and a kind of beard that partially merges into the outstretched tongue. The term is derived from the Sanskrit word singga (lion), which has a mythological rather than a biological meaning. It does not symbolise the heraldic lion from the Greco-Bactrian culture, but the Naga or Boru Saniang Naga, the world serpent of Hindu mythology. It is not clear why this mythical figure was given the term singa. Singa can be found everywhere, on houses, everyday objects, sarcophagi, granaries, amulets, books, jewellery, etc. Among the Batak of Sumatra, the datu or ‘specialist’ for magical matters of all kinds needed various containers to store certain magical substances, amulets and medicine. The naga morsarang horn is the most important of these. It symbolises the status of the datu. The horn is decorated with fine carving depicting stylised symbols of the deity Boraspati Ni Tano, an aquatic, lizard-like underworld deity related to the Puranic Banaspati (Shiva). The Batak have been in contact with Hinduism since early historical times. The lizard form of Banaspati (Batak: Boraspati) probably goes back to the sacred crocodile, ruler of the underworld. The deity can also be found on other sacred Batak objects such as the pustaha (magic books).The horn has an old dark patina, which is partly due to ‘sacrificing’ with organic substances. It has been worn and used for a long time. From an old German private collection, assembled in the 1950s - Minor traces of age, partly slightly chipped and traces of worms Publ.: IFICAH (2018): Die Vorfahren im Nacken. Wohlesbostel, page 20, front page

Estim. 250 - 350 EUR

BATAK TOBA, Sumatra, Indonesia. Wood, patina of use. Perminaken" medicine vessel stopper carved with a figure riding a Singa. Height: 17.5 cm

Estim. 1 500 - 2 500 EUR

INDONESIA - Batak Sumatra Indonesia, crouching deity, knees forward and arms crossed over chest, headdress with circle with 2 protuberances, hardwood inscribed under base Sumatra, god of Aiz. H. 27.6 cm

Estim. 2 400 - 3 400 EUR

A fossilized 'Horn of a Rhino', Sumatra. Gross weight:1,044kg. Dimensions: (L:5,7 x W:12 x H:18 cm)

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