Medicine horn "naga morsarang" or "sahan" · Indonesia - Sumatra, Toba - Batak · ID: 3051126
sold
EUR 600
Provenance
Erwin & Susanne Melchardt, Vienna, AustriaSize
H: 36 cm
H: 14.2 inch
Description
horn (water buffalo), wood, base
After his magic staff and “pustaha” magic book, the “naga marsarang” medicine horns were the most important ritual paraphernalia of the “datu” priest. These remarkable objects were used to store the magical substance known as “raja ni pagar”. Originally, a large, more or less elaborately carved wooden plug was used to close the broader end of the horn (cf. Sibeth, 2007, p. 96 ff.).
Comparing literature
Sibeth, Achim, Carpenter, Bruce W., Batak Sculpture, Singapore 2007