Enquiry about object: 7088
Batak Gold & Silver Man’s Pendant Ear Ornament (Duri-Duri)
Batak people, Lake Toba region, north Sumatra, Indonesia 19th century
length: 3.8cm, width: 3.1cm, weight: 18g
Provenance
private collection, The Netherlands
This single man’s ear ornament, known as a duri-duri, is from the Batak people of Lake Toba in Sumatra. It comprises thick gold sheet over a silver substrate. It is further decorated with spikes or ‘thorns’, wire spirals and twisted wire, on both sides.
Batak men wore such ear ornaments individually, usually in the right ear (according to some sources) or usually the left ear (according to others).
A similar example in gold is illustrated in Sibeth (2012, p. 73).
The example here has a good patina and good wear – its age is clearly evident.
References
Rodgers, S., Power and Gold: Jewelry from Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, The Barbier-Mueller Museum, Geneva, 3rd ed. 1995.
Sibeth, A., Gold, Silver & Brass: Jewellery of the Batak in Sumatra, Indonesia, 5 Continents, 2012.
