Gun Powder Container

Batak, Sumatra
19th Century


This is a rare example of a Toba Batak gun powder container. Carved from buffalo horn this ‘salempang’ was carved by an extremely talented artisan. The figure is conceived in fantastic detail, the elegantly carved body with exaggeratedly large hands is surmounted by a classic Batak head in which the face exudes great power. The patina is fine and exhibits great wear from decades of handling. Important to note is that most ‘salempang’ are non figurative; with at most a Singa’s face carved into the horn; this example is adorned with a full figure making this a very rare find.

This powder horn stands 7.5 inches in height.

SOLD / IN 2105