Tomb Door
Toradja, Sulawesi, Indonesia
19th century
Such doors were placed at the entrance to shrines carved in limestone cliffs. They served as doors to crypts which held the remains of members of the aristocracy. Doors with images of water buffalo are said to have been used especially for priests. The buffalo is an important animal in Toradja culture where it serves as an important store of wealth and a symbol of prestige. The present example is carved in high relief, the central water buffalo head is surrounded by classical Toradjan scrolling and linear patterns. The beautifully weathered surface has a whitish color due to prolonged accumulations of limestone deposits, which are found on the cliff where it was originally placed. Made of extremely dense and hard wood, it has an almost “fossilized” appearance.
Height: 19 ½ in / 49.5 cm
Tomb Door
Toradja, Sulawesi, Indonesia
19th century
Such doors were placed at the entrance to shrines carved in limestone cliffs. They served as doors to crypts which held the remains of members of the aristocracy. Doors with images of water buffalo are said to have been used especially for priests. The buffalo is an important animal in Toradja culture where it serves as an important store of wealth and a symbol of prestige. The present example is carved in high relief, the central water buffalo head is surrounded by classical Toradjan scrolling and linear patterns. The beautifully weathered surface has a whitish color due to prolonged accumulations of limestone deposits, which are found on the cliff where it was originally placed. Made of extremely dense and hard wood, it has an almost “fossilized” appearance.
Height: 19 ½ in / 49.5 cm