Shaman Healing and Divination Arts of SE Asia

Timor, like Flores is more mountainous than the rolling hills of Sumba, but the shamanic culture is much the same. Both islands are now predominantly christian, although, like most of the cultures throughout the Lesser Sunda Islands, they have integrated the newer belief systems with their ancient roots in Animism. (for several neighboring Lesser Sunda Islands see the following post)

'Katoda' - God Effigy, Timor Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Early 20th c, Stone. Shaman would pray to a Katoda to predict natural disasters. 19” x 5 ½” x 6 ½”, $1600. — ‘Katoda’ – God Effigy, Timor Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Early 20th c, Stone

Shaman would pray to a Katoda to predict natural disasters. 19” x 5 ½” x 6 ½”, $1600.

Shaman’s Ritual Figure, Timor Island, Sunda Island, Indonesia, Niki Niki village Early 20th c, Wood, fiber cord, shell. Used by shaman to treat people as well as for other traditional rituals. 21” x 7 ½” x 6 ½”, $1400. — Shaman’s Ritual Figure, Timor Island, Sunda Island, Indonesia, Niki Niki village
Early 20th c, Wood, fiber cord, shell

Used by shaman to treat people as well as for other traditional rituals. 21” x 7 ½” x 6 ½”, $1400. SOLD

Divining Amulet/Fetishes Timor Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Late 19th c, Stone, pigment, European Glass seed beads. The inlaid ‘white heart’ beads were particularly desirable. Used in healing ceremonies to ‘See’ - or locate, lost items and to determine the appropriate day and time for performing each ceremony. 6” x 2 ½” x 5”, $550. — ‘Seer’ or Divining Talisman/Fetish, Timor Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia,
Late 19th c, Stone, pigment, European Glass seed beads

The inlaid ‘white heart’ beads were particularly desirable. Used in healing ceremonies to ‘See’ – or locate, lost items and to determine the appropriate day and time for performing each ceremony. 6” x 2 ½” x 5”, $550. (see companion ‘seer’ in image below)

Divining Amulet/Fetish, Timor Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Late 19th c, Stone, pigment, European Glass seed beads. The inlaid ‘white heart’ beads were particularly desirable Used in healing ceremonies to ‘See’ - or locate items, and to determine the appropriate day and time for performing each ceremony. 5 ¼” x 1 ¾” x 2 ¼”, $400. — Divining Amulet/Fetish, Timor Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia,
Late 19th c, Stone, pigment, European Glass seed beads, 5 ¼” x 1 ¾” x 2 ¼”, $400.

Ancestral Offering Statue, Indonesia, Timor Island, Boti village, Mid 20th century Wood. This totem-like carving of many ancestor effigies is used by shamans in contacting spirits and healing rituals. 11 ½” x 4” x 3 ½”, sold — Ancestral Offering Statue, Indonesia, Timor Island, Boti village, Mid 20th century,
Wood

This totem-like carving of many ancestor effigies is used by shamans in contacting spirits and healing rituals. 11 ½” x 4” x 3 ½”, SOLD

Ancestral Offering Figures, Timor Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Anakalang tribe, Early to mid 20th c, Wood. Used by shaman for healing rituals. (left, male fig - 8 ½” x 5” x 3 ½”); (right female fig -9” x 4 ¾” x 4”), $875. (sold as pair) — Ancestral Offering Figures, Timor Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Anakalang tribe, Early to mid 20th c, Wood

Used by shaman for healing rituals. (left, male fig – 8 ½” x 5” x 3 ½”); (right female fig -9” x 4 ¾” x 4”), $875. (sold as pair)

Used for healing treatments. 10 ¾” x 8 ½” x 10”, $285.

Healing Figures, Timor Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Mid to late 19th c. Stone, patinated with use and age. Used in healing rituals. (left - late 19th c, 3 ¾” x 2 ¾” x 3 ¼”, sold); (right - mid 19th c, 3 ¾” x 2 ¾” x 3 ¼”, sold) — Healing Figures, Timor Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Mid to late 19th c. Stone

Used in healing rituals. (left – late 19th c, 3 ¾” x 2 ¾” x 3 ¼”, SOLD); (right – mid 19th c, 3 ¾” x 2 ¾” x 3 ¼”, SOLD)

Shaman Healing Amulet/Talismans, Timor Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Early 20th c, Wood, patinated with use and age. Used in healing rituals, (left - 3 ½” x 1 ½” x 4”, $80.); (right - 3 ¾” x 1 ¾” x 3 ½”, $100.) — Shaman Healing Amulet/Talismans, Timor Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Early 20th c, Wood

Used in healing rituals, (left – 3 ½” x 1 ½” x 4”, $80.); (right – 3 ¾” x 1 ¾” x 3 ½”, $100.)

Used in healing rituals, (left – 4 ¼” x 1” x 3 ½”, $65.); (right – 3 ¼” x 1 ¼” x 4”, $80.)

Shaman Healing Amulets, Timor Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Mid 20th c, Wood, patinated with use and age. Used in healing rituals. Dimensions left to right: (left - 3 1 /2” x 1 ¼” x 1 ½”, $70.); (left middle -2 ¾” x 1” x 1", sold); (right middle - ~3 x 2); (right - 2 ½” x 1” x 1", sold) — Shaman Healing Amulets, Timor Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Mid 20th c, Wood

Used in healing rituals. Dimensions left to right: (left – 3 1 /2” x 1 ¼” x 1 ½”, $70.); (left middle -2 ¾” x 1” x 1″, SOLD); (right middle – ~3 x 2); (right – 2 ½” x 1” x 1″, SOLD)

Preparing medicines using a pestle to grind, 10 ¾” x 4” x 4 ½”, $425.

Shaman Healing Medicine Container Necklace, Alor Island, Timor Islands, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Mid 20th c, Wood, beads, shell (Telescopium telescopium, or Horn snail spire). Used to hold medicine for healing rituals, 4 ½” x 1 ½” x 1 ¼”, $390. — Shaman Healing Medicine Container Necklace, Alor Island, Timor Islands, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Mid 20th c, Wood, beads, shell (Telescopium telescopium, or Horn snail spire)

Used to hold medicine for healing rituals, 4 ½” x 1 ½” x 1 ¼”, $390.

Medicine Woman Effigy with Child (rare), Alor Island, Flores Islands, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Mid to late 20th c, Wood. Used for healing, and for black and white magic (the figure itself does not have any dark energy), 10 ½” x 3 ½” x 2 ½”, sold — Medicine Woman Effigy with Child (rare), Alor Island, Flores Islands, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Mid to late 20th c, Wood

Used for healing rituals, 10 ½” x 3 ½” x 2 ½”, SOLD

Shaman Figure (rare), Atauro Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia Early 20th c. Wood, cloth. Used to protect people from harmful spirits during rituals. Faded and patinated with use and age, original red color of cloth still visible. Dimensions: (left - 22 ½” 5 ½’ x 7 ½”, $1200.); (right - 25 ¼’ x 4 ¼” x 6 ½”, $1200.) — Shaman Figure (rare), Atauro Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Early 20th c.
Wood, cloth

Used to protect people from harmful spirits during rituals. Faded and patinated with use and age, original red color of cloth still visible. Dimensions: (left – 22 ½” 5 ½’ x 7 ½”, $1200.); (right – 25 ¼’ x 4 ¼” x 6 ½”, $1200.)