Horn, Woven Fibre Bullet Holder (Paru-paru), Karo Batak People, North Sumatra, 19th century

Horn & Woven Fibre Bullet Holder (Paru-paru)

Karo Batak People, North Sumatra, Indonesia

19th century

length: 20cm

This fine bullet case of carved buffalo horn and with an end of finely woven fibre is typically Batak in form in that it also serves as a talismanic or protective device carved as it is with a face. The features are simple, un-fussy and streamlined. The nose is delicately carved and the ears are of stripped-back ‘S’-shape form.

It follows the shape of the horn and has a bifurcated end with a slit through which the enclosed bullets could be seen.

The Batak carried guns for hunting and warfare. The bullets, like the gunpowder they used, was made by them.

The Karo Batak live north of Lake Toba in northern Sumatra, Indonesia’s largest island. The Karolands were conquered by the Dutch in 1906, and in 1909 roads to the highlands were constructed, ending the isolation of the highland Karo Bataks.

The holder has a splendid glossy, patina. The fibre casing over the wider end also has a superb and unquestionable patina. The overall condition is excellent, there being no significant losses and no repairs.

References

ter Keurs, P. et al, Au Nord de Sumatra, Les Batak, Musee du Quai Branly/5 Continents, 2008.

Meulenbeld, B.C., et al, Budaya Indonesia: Arts and Crafts in Indonesia, Tropenmuseum, 1988.

Schoffel, A., Arts Primitifs de l’Asie du Sud-Est (Assam, Sumatra, Borneo, Philippines): Collection Alain Schoffel, Alain et Francoise Chaffin, 1981.

Sibeth, A., The Batak: Peoples of Island Sumatra, Thames & Hudson, 1991.

Sibeth, A., Batak: Kunst aus Sumatra, Museum fur Volkerkunde, 2000.

Provenance

UK art market

Inventory no.: 3896

SOLD

A Karo Batak family group.