Magic Fetish, Parsimboraan
Toba Batak, North Sumatra, Indonesia
19th c
Provenance: Rodger Dashow collection
Published: “Indonesian Tribal Art”, 2015, pg. 224.
Sumatra is rich in tin, a malleable metal that is an essential ingredient in all bronze alloys. Parsimboraan are anthropomorphic fetish amulets believed to ward off evil spirits. Cast from a tin-lead alloy, this example is woven with twine and cloth, creating bulbous headdresses containing magical substances. It was hung from the loops around the wearer’s neck or clothing. This particular piece is cast in the form of a totem pole-like row of faces, resembling those seen on magic staffs known as Tunggal Panaluan.
Height: 7 ¾ in / 19.7 cm
Size
(Not including the string loops and goat hair)
Item
IN 9-8-24 / Price on request
Gallery
Magic Fetish, Parsimboraan
Toba Batak, North Sumatra, Indonesia
19th c
Provenance: Rodger Dashow collection
Published: “Indonesian Tribal Art”, 2015, pg. 224.
Sumatra is rich in tin, a malleable metal that is an essential ingredient in all bronze alloys. Parsimboraan are anthropomorphic fetish amulets believed to ward off evil spirits. Cast from a tin-lead alloy, this example is woven with twine and cloth, creating bulbous headdresses containing magical substances. It was hung from the loops around the wearer’s neck or clothing. This particular piece is cast in the form of a totem pole-like row of faces, resembling those seen on magic staffs known as Tunggal Panaluan.
Height: 7 ¾ in / 19.7 cm
Size
(Not including the string loops and goat hair)
Item
IN 9-8-24 / Price on request