A betel nut crusher with a well carved wood handle depicting a Demon. Nice patina on the iron crusher blade. Some wear from use and very slight cracking on the handle but in  More »

A betel nut crusher with a well carved wood handle depicting a Demon. Nice patina on the iron crusher blade. Some wear from use and very slight cracking on the handle but in overall good condition.   « Less

A rarely encountered, complete and original Betel Nut set crafted for a person of importance. The craftsmanship and subtle decoration of these sets indicated the status of  More »

A rarely encountered, complete and original Betel Nut set crafted for a person of importance. The craftsmanship and subtle decoration of these sets indicated the status of the owner. This set is contained within a brass box which has been artfully pierced and chased in a manner which conforms to the Javanese aesthetic of the late 19th C. The interior components are compose of bowls for lime and nuts, a leaf container and covered bowls that probably contained spices and lip salve. In excellent, complete condition. 4.5" x 8".   « Less

A double Kris board for mounting on the wall, inside the door. On entering the house the owner places his or her kris upright in its sheath through the loops on the board. It  More »

A double Kris board for mounting on the wall, inside the door. On entering the house the owner places his or her kris upright in its sheath through the loops on the board. It is thought that this may be to protect the house from evil spirits. Carved in the classic Cirebon style with tendrils and leaves, with the addition of Wayang figures including a Naga at the feet of the standing figures. The wood in excellent condition. The kris loops are missing. There is some white residual around the figures and tendrils as well as on the back suggesting that the board may have, at one time been painted with pigment paint. Size 15"wide by 26" long. Mid 20th C. ex: Sambisari Gallery, Yogyakarta, Java.   « Less

This item has been SOLD. We acquired this very fine Debata Idup couple from a Yogyakarta collection over two decades ago. Debata Idup is first of all a representative of the  More »

This item has been SOLD. We acquired this very fine Debata Idup couple from a Yogyakarta collection over two decades ago. Debata Idup is first of all a representative of the Supreme God "Si Mulajadi na Bolon and according to DR. Jamaluddin S. Hasibuan, Debata Idup in the form of a couple is present in a household to cure the problem of sterility. The Debata Idup were invoked simultaneously by the husband and wife. The effigies being held and worshiped in a prescribed ritual. In addition the Debata Idup was the protector of the house, its occupants and their fields. Both figures have the old receptacles in their chests, where the Datu placed the empowering magic called pupik. The female is wrapped in an "Ijuke" blanket which further empowers her. The receptacle plugs were removed long ago and only residual of the pupik remains. Nice patina and some encrustation. The feet and areas on the bodies show minor losses. Accompanied by custom metal display stands. Height, male 12", female 11.5". Mid 20th C.   « Less

This item has been SOLD. A very fine quality Batak figure that has been called both a Samboan or ancestor figure and a Pagar or protection figure. The absence of the hollowed  More »

This item has been SOLD. A very fine quality Batak figure that has been called both a Samboan or ancestor figure and a Pagar or protection figure. The absence of the hollowed area in the head or chest, which is filled with magic called pupik, lessens the Pagar attribution, yet the figure could also be empowered with offering placed at his feet in receptacles. We can only speculate. This figure is part of a Seattle collection that we acquired almost two decades ago. A very refined figure, standing in the classic bent knee posture, with arms forward across the lower torso holding a head. Rich, dark patina with surface losses around the head along with minor dents and mild cracking, (as shown), this is a very fine example of a classic Toba Batak figure. Accompanied by a custom metal display stand. Height 13.75". Mid 20th Century   « Less

This item has been SOLD. Originally from a Seattle collection and in our collection for almost two decades, a very fine example of a Batak Pagar. Pagar are created and used  More »

This item has been SOLD. Originally from a Seattle collection and in our collection for almost two decades, a very fine example of a Batak Pagar. Pagar are created and used by the Batak village Datu or priest for the purpose of protecting houses, fields and people from malevolent spirits called Begu. They can be found in various quality, sizes and postures but always with a plugged hole in the torso or head that contains pupik or the magic substance that empowers the figure. This figure is notable in its artistic execution. One can only speculate about the symbolism of the child beyond the known fact that much of the power of the pupik magic has to do with a child selected by the Datu. The plug in the head of this pagar has been removed in order to remove its power, although there is residual pupik in the hole and remnants of rice flower around the feet. The over all condition is very good with loss only to the base, as shown. There are the usual nicks and slight dents, with dark rich patina on the contact points. A custom metal stand accompanies the piece. Size: H,16.5", W,2.75", 3" front to back. First half of the 20th C.   « Less

A fine, large skull rack from Kanganamon Village, Middle Sepik region. The figure depicts a fierce female ancestor figure with a well carved crocodile on her back. She stands  More »

A fine, large skull rack from Kanganamon Village, Middle Sepik region. The figure depicts a fierce female ancestor figure with a well carved crocodile on her back. She stands on the rack which has an additional ancestor image carved in its face. The wood is in good shape, with no damage or apparent losses. The contact areas show wear and there is a dark patina to the wood. From a 1970"s collection. H: 37.5", W; 9".   « Less

This item has been SOLD. A large and often used, carved wooden feast ladel from the Huan Gulf region. The finial is an ancestor image who will keep evil away from the food  More »

This item has been SOLD. A large and often used, carved wooden feast ladel from the Huan Gulf region. The finial is an ancestor image who will keep evil away from the food offered to an honored guest. The clean, elegant form is enhanced by the somewhat serpentine forms on the upper rim of the ladel where the handle joins. The leading edge shows wear from use, as shown. Nice patina and in very good overall condition. Accompanied by a custom metal display stand. Height,16,25" Circa 1970. ex: Michael Hamson   « Less

A very good example of a seldom encountered Kardawar ancestor figure. Seated with legs and arms drawn up in an almost fetal position. The upper arms are adorned with bands  More »

A very good example of a seldom encountered Kardawar ancestor figure. Seated with legs and arms drawn up in an almost fetal position. The upper arms are adorned with bands and raised, with hands to his chin and resting on his chest. The expressive face has a fringe beard and detailed features. Adz carved and with a nice patina. There is an age crack running vertically on the right side, as shown. Very good condition in all other respects. ex: Michael Hamson 1998. H: 9.75", W: 3". Accompanied by a custom metal display stand.   « Less

From the Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea, a hard wood war shield in traditional Mendi style. The somewhat ovoid shaped shield has a medial ridge, culminating in a  More »

From the Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea, a hard wood war shield in traditional Mendi style. The somewhat ovoid shaped shield has a medial ridge, culminating in a spike at the top. The traditional pattern on the face of the shield is applied with pigment and ash. The concave back shows a grip of a hemp like material which appears to be original. Edge wear but no cracks or losses. Ex. Edward Sklar Collection. Size 47"H x 17.5W. C. 1970   « Less