**Originally Listed At $2500**

Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Sumba Island, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. A splendid, high quality silver head ornament known as a lamba of crescent form presenting with a thick midsection and high, tapered terminals that curve to fit on one's shoulders. The stunning piece of armor has been elaborately adorned in repousse with a central crescent enveloped by four intricate registers of geometric motifs on top and bottom. The crescent itself is filled with a sizable flower or sun design surrounded by decorative swirls and flanked by two men riding deer and a pair of insect-like figures. The outermost borders of the crescent, which contain repeated ovoid patterns, travel up both sides of the pectoral, flanking an abstract program of elegant S-shaped designs. Lambas, like this example, are worn by royal men of East Sumba and plays an intrinsic role in Sumbanese ceremonies and rituals connected with life transitions. Size: 11" W x 11" H (27.9 cm x 27.9 cm); 9.75" H (24.8 cm) on included custom stand; silver quality: 95.97% to 96.55%

This piece has been searched against the Art Loss Register database and has been cleared. The Art Loss Register maintains the world’s largest database of stolen art, collectibles, and antiques.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-Dr. Gallagher collection, Sydney, Australia, acquired from 1960 to 2000

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#162979

Too delicate to remove from stand, so unable to weigh independent of stand. Top of one side has been reattached. Fissures to peripheries and body with some petite losses along periphery. Otherwise, excellent with impressively preserved detail and light patina.