Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Sumatra, Toba Batak peoples, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. A fabulous hand-carved priest's container known as naga marsarang, expertly made from a dense wood, for storing a potent substance known as pupuk, or medicinal charms. While some are made of buffalo horn, this example is entirely wood carved into the crescent shape- the pointed end is sculpted in the form of a seated ancestor figure with his hand on knees and a tuft of black horsehair set into his head. The upward facing stopper is a massive singa head, an underworld deity, with intricate incised geometric and curvilinear motifs, elongated chin, eyes inlaid with metal iron discs, and curling flame like ears and hair. The lid rests flush inside the rim, a wooden dowel pin inserted through the side holds the hefty effigy stopper in place, and the rest of the vessel is covered with a knotted / woven cord sheath. Great patina and fabulous details throughout this magical container! Size: 12" L x 3" W (30.5 cm x 7.6 cm); 14.5" H (36.8 cm) on included custom stand.

According to the Bowers Museum curatorial description, "The Toba Batak people live in the northern mountainous highlands of Sumatra, one of the several islands that constitute the Republic of Indonesia. A medicine horn (naga marsarang)… would have belonged to a religious specialist who was able to communicate with the gods, conduct ceremonies, practice benevolent and malevolent magic, and provide assistance and advice in matters concerning daily life. The medicine horn functioned as a container for a highly potent substance considered magical and even deadly. The substance, called pupuk was prepared, used and handled only by Batak religious specialists."

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, 1995 to 2010; ex-Dr. Gallagher collection, Sydney, Australia, 1960 to 2000, collected in Indonesia in 1985

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#171743

Patina to wood and metal eyes. Stable pressure fissures on stopper lid and ancestor figure. Overall excellent and in choice condition.