Central Element from a Spinning Wheel
Sumba, Indonesia
Early 20th c.
Provenance: Rodger Dashow Collection, Boston
Published: Indonesian Tribal Art, p. 309
This carved wooden spinning wheel element brings ancestral imagery into an object of daily use. Two figures stand back to back, their heads facing opposite directions and joined at a common neck. Such paired figures are associated with the original ancestors and can also refer to siblings or twins.
The elongated body is pierced by a rectangular opening that served the spinning mechanism. Rounded heads, clearly defined ears, and simply carved facial features give each figure a distinct presence. The dark surface is worn smooth in places, with a rich patina developed through handling and use.
Combining practical purpose with expressive carving, this piece reflects the care given to textile equipment and the place of ancestral imagery within Sumba’s material culture.
Size
Height: 11 in / 27.9 cm
Item
IN 11-7-26 / Price on request
Gallery
Central Element from a Spinning Wheel
Sumba, Indonesia
Early 20th c.
Provenance: Rodger Dashow Collection, Boston
Published: Indonesian Tribal Art, p. 309
This carved wooden spinning wheel element brings ancestral imagery into an object of daily use. Two figures stand back to back, their heads facing opposite directions and joined at a common neck. Such paired figures are associated with the original ancestors and can also refer to siblings or twins.
The elongated body is pierced by a rectangular opening that served the spinning mechanism. Rounded heads, clearly defined ears, and simply carved facial features give each figure a distinct presence. The dark surface is worn smooth in places, with a rich patina developed through handling and use.
Combining practical purpose with expressive carving, this piece reflects the care given to textile equipment and the place of ancestral imagery within Sumba’s material culture.
Size
Height: 11 in / 27.9 cm
Item
IN 11-7-26 / Price on request
Gallery