Lot 67B
Southeast Asia, Philippines, Sulu Archipelago, Bajau, ca. early 20th century CE. The Bajau peoples specialize in carving wooden gravemarkers like this example which depicts a male figure riding a mythological or zoomorphic form - perhaps a horse or a dragon -conjuring a supernatural rather than a realistic journey of the soul. Size: 50" L x 18" H (127 cm x 45.7 cm); 30" H (76.2 cm) on included custom stand.
Bajau grave markers memorialize and mark the resting places of the deceased. They consist of two primary components; the kubul is a low openwork fence surrounding the grave, and the sunduk is an upright element at the midpoint of this enclosure. Interestingly, the gender of the deceased is reflected in the sunduk's form. A female's sunduk typically is comprised of intricately carved openwork planks; however, the male's sunduck is most often phallic or cylindrical with a base representing a ship or stylized animal. Most examples are only decorated with geometric and floral motifs inspired by Islamic traditions. More rare are sunduks carved to depict human figures like this example. These demonstrate stylistic affinities with other indigenous traditions of Southeast Asia.
See an example of a man's grave marker (sunduk) at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (1990.338a.b).
Provenance: private Omer Claiborne collection, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA; acquired over the last 40 years
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#129216
- Condition: An attractive weathered surface with losses commensurate with age.
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