Lot 233
Southeast Asia, Indonesia, southwestern Sumatra, Enggano Island, ca. early 20th century CE. A wondrous and rare example of a hand-carved wooden hat known as an epaku. The hat presents with an open cylindrical base, openwork fins, and a flat upper platform. The top of the headdress is surmounted by an abstract simian figure in a crouching pose with stocky legs, sinuous arms with long-fingered hands covering the ears, and a bulbous head with almond-shaped eyes and a protruding tongue. Epaku headdresses were typically worn by aristocratic women acting as chiefs during the "kaleak baba" ceremony to invoke blessing for forthcoming harvests and hunts. The figures atop the headdresses were thought to symbolize a slain enemy, and the ceremonies ended with feasting, singing, dancing, and performing. Size: 4.875" W x 7.6" H (12.4 cm x 19.3 cm)
Provenance: private Hidden Valley Lake, California, USA collection, purchased January 31, 2020; ex-Artemis Gallery; ex-private Sutterfield collection, Nevada, USA
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Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#170616
- Condition: Losses to areas of openwork fins along cylindrical head portion as shown. Minor nicks and abrasions to head portion, upper platform, and simian figure, with several stable fissures, light encrustations, and softening to some finer details. Nice earthen deposits and patina throughout.
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| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
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| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |