Stopper of medicine container "perminaken" ·  Indonesia - Sumatra, Toba - Batak · ID: 3033605

Description

wood, blackish brown, partly encrusted patina, in shape of a rider on a small “singa”, surmounting a wooden stopper, slightly dam., breakage (right forearm), paint rubbed off, on wooden base;
“datu” priests used various receptacles for keeping medicine and magical ingredients called “pupuk”. In most cases the containers consisted of horn from the water buffalo or goats; but boxes of bamboo, plumb or imported ceramics were used as well.

Comparing literature

Sibeth, Achim, Carpenter, Bruce W., Batak Sculpture, Singapore 2007, p. 137