Lot 54
Southeast Asia, Indonesia, South Sulawesi Island, Toraja culture, ca. early 20th century CE. A finely-built square granary door, hand-carved from dense jackfruit wood, with an abstract buffalo head, horns, and one ear in high relief; the other ear is present but worn. One side features two small dowels protruding from the top and bottom of one side used to secure the pivoting end in a recessed groove on the verso. The weathered surface exhibits smooth brown patina with faint remains of white pigment atop the brow. Size: 5" L x 15.2" W x 19.5" H (12.7 cm x 38.6 cm x 49.5 cm); 19.75" H (50.2 cm) on included custom stand.
The Toraja are one of the oldest ethnic groups in all of Indonesia, though they did not view themselves as an ethnic group until the early 20th century. The Dutch colonial government named the people "Toraja" in 1909 as a means of identifying which ethnic groups they controlled during the period of Dutch colonization. The word "Toraja" comes from the Bugis Buginese language term "to riaja," meaning "people of the uplands." Torajans are renowned for their elaborate funeral rites, burial sites carved into rocky cliffs, massive and traditional peaked-roof houses known as tongkonan, and colorful wood carvings.
Doors like these provided passage between two rooms in a Torajan house. Behind the door was a special room (known as a "sumbung") used to lay out the dead before funerals. The likeness of a buffalo was oftentimes used on these doors as an auspicious symbol due to their defensive natures and adamant dispositions, and the staff between the horns is symbolic of protection or defense for the dwelling and those within.
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, acquired from 2000 to 2010; ex-Loed & Mia van Bussel collection, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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#184888
- Condition: Minor abrasions, with fading to pigment, a few stable fissures, and softening to some finer details, otherwise intact and excellent. Great patina throughout, and faint pigment remains atop brow.
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| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |