Shaman’s Staff

Batak, Sumatra Indonesia
19th Century


The male figure carved with great precision stares into the astral plane while straddling the neck of a truncated seated Singa.   The figures elongated head with finely carved ears is classic Toba Batak. The wooden top is attached to a long bamboo inscribed shaft.  The inscriptions are magical writings in the language of the Toba; exactly like the writings in their large magical books.  The horse hair is original and the patina overall is varied and encrusted from decades of use and exposure.

This Staff stands 64 inches tall.
The Figure stands 5 inches tall.

SOLD / IN 4-06-09