Sacred Bone Amulet Figure – Sumba Island, Indonesia
Carved from a Wild Pig Shoulder Bone This remarkable sacred amulet figure was carved from the shoulder bone of a pig and originates from the interior of Sumba Island, Indonesia. It was field collected during an expedition in the early 1990s from a long-abandoned village deep inland, where traditional Marapu beliefs had once played a central role in daily life. Throughout Sumba, pigs have long held profound ceremonial and spiritual significance. They are essential in rituals, ancestor worship, weddings, funerals, and exchanges of wealth. Carving an amulet from a pig’s shoulder bone gave the object an added symbolic power, as the material itself was associated with sacrifice, prosperity, protection, and communication with the ancestral world. This finely carved figure was almost certainly intended as a personal protective amulet. Such objects were believed to guard their owner against illness, misfortune, and harmful spirits while invoking the guidance and strength of the ancestors. The precise meaning of each amulet often remained known only to its owner or to local ritual specialists. The sculpture has developed a beautiful, smooth surface and warm natural patina through age and prolonged handling. Its expressive, minimalist carving perfectly reflects the traditional artistic style of Sumba, where spiritual significance was valued above naturalistic representation. Field collected and never made for the tourist market, this is an authentic ethnographic object from an old collection assembled during extensive travels through eastern Indonesia. Bone amulets of this quality and documented field provenance have become increasingly scarce and are highly sought after by collectors of tribal art and ethnographic material. A rare and evocative example of the sacred art of Sumba, combining exceptional material, authentic provenance, and deep cultural significance. Origin: Interior of Sumba Island, Indonesia.
Material: Carved pig shoulder bone.
Date: Mid-20th century.
Provenance: Field collected in the early 1990s from a deserted inland village.
Condition: Very good original condition with minor age-related wear and an attractive natural patina consistent with age and traditional use. We pack securely sending worldwide ADRIAAN VAN DIS besprak mijn beide boeken, dus ook het recente ‘Ik droomde dat je kwam’ Een prachtig en meeslepend boek vol verhalen over Papua, met een bijzondere mix van avontuur, cultuur en persoonlijke ontmoetingen. De auteur neemt je mee van Raja Ampat tot de Asmat, van Yapen tot de Vogelkop, in een warme en levendige vertelstijl. Inclusief fotokatern van Roy Villevoye. Prijs: €22,95 Gesigneerd exemplaar Kan worden meegezonden met de verzending, dus geen extra verzendkosten. Wordt het niet meegezonden, dan komt er €4,- bij.