Timor Island

Since our epic Balancing The Universe: Shamanic Amulets, Instruments and Costumes exhibition last fall, we have additional objects to include – healing and power objects and ritual protector figures, that didn’t make it into the show. If you follow our Gallery Blog, no doubt you will see even more of these ancient southeast Asian shaman ritual objects in the future. The pieces below are from tribal Indonesia and are included together in this one post instead of divided by specific island or tribe as in the previous shaman show posts.

Female Magic Figure, Shaman uses this for prayer and to gather healing power to treat people. Kodi village, West Sumba, Indonesia, early to mid 20th c., stone, 14 1/2" x 7" x 6 1/2" without base (16 1/2" with base), — Female Magic Figure

Kodi village, West Sumba, Indonesia, early to mid 20th c., stone, Shaman uses this for prayer and to gather healing power to treat people. 14 1/2″ x 7″ x 6 1/2″ without base (16 1/2″ with base), $850.

Shaman healing object, from near Kodi village, West Sumba Island, Indonesia, mid 20th c., jack fruit wood, 11 1/2" x 6" x 5", — Shaman Healing Figure

(near) Kodi village, West Sumba Island, Indonesia, mid 20th c., jack fruit wood, 11 1/2″ x 6″ x 5″, $400.

Shaman's ritual dance rattle, Indonesia, Borneo, Dayak tribe, early 20th c., Monkey skull, sea shells, bone, ceramic beads, Shaken to scare away evil or harmful spirits, ~ 13" x 5" — Shaman’s Ritual Dance Rattle

Borneo, Indonesia, Dayak tribe, early 20th c., Monkey skull, sea shells, bone, ceramic beads, Shaken to scare away evil or harmful spirits, ~ 13″ x 5″, $550.

Shaman's ritual dance rattle, Indonesia, Borneo, Dayak tribe, early 20th c., Monkey skull, sea shells, metal nail, ceramic beads, glass bead, Shaken to scare away evil or harmful spirits, 12" x 7" — Shaman’s Ritual Dance Rattle

Borneo, Indonesia, Dayak tribe, early 20th c., Monkey skull, sea shells, metal nail, ceramic beads, glass bead, Shaken to scare away evil or harmful spirits, 12″ x 7″, $550.

Shaman Male and Female Figures (pair) Timor Island, Indonesia, used to protect the home and for healing. Early to mid 20th c., stone, cloth, pigment, (male - 7 1/4" x 5 1/4") (female - 7 3/4"x 5"), — Shaman Male and Female (pair) protection and healing figures

Timor Island, Indonesia, Early to mid 20th c., stone, cloth, pigment, used to protect the home and for healing, (male – 7 1/4″ x 5 1/4″) (female – 7 3/4″x 5″), $975. for the pair

Shaman figures used in rituals to make rain, Indonesia, Timor Island, early to mid 20th c., stone, ~ 7" x 5" — Shaman Magic Figures

Timor Island, Indonesia, Early to mid 20th c., stone, Used in rituals to make rain. ~ (left – 6 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ x 4 1/2″), (right – 7″ x 5″ x 4 1/2″, $340. each

Pig Hunting Effigy, a shaman's magic talisman to bring a successful hunt. Lamboya village, West Sumba Island, Indonesia, early to mid 20th c. Sentiki wood root, 8 1/2' x 6" x 21 1/2", — Pig Hunting Effigy

Lamboya village, West Sumba Island, Indonesia, Early to mid 20th c., Sentiki root wood, Shaman empowers the effigy to bring a successful hunt. (male – 7 1/4″ x 5 1/4″), (female – 7 3/4″ x 5″), $380.

Shaman's wooden mortar and anthropomorphic pestle for healing herbs (2 piece set), Besikama village, Timor, Indonesia, mid 20th c., pestle - 12 1/2" x 2 1/2"; mortar - 7 3/4" x 4 1/2" x 4" (set) — Shaman’s mortar and anthropomorphic pestle (set)

Besikama village, Timor, Indonesia, mid 20th c. wood, for healing herbs and substances, pestle – 12 1/2″ x 2 1/2″; mortar – 7 3/4″ x 4 1/2″ x 4″, $650. for the set

Shaman's 3-Faced Figure Holy Water Jar Stopper, Kodi village, Sumba Island, Indonesia, late 19th to early 20th c., ceramic, 14" x 9", — Shaman’s 3-Faced Figure Holy Water Jar Stopper

Kodi village, Sumba Island, Indonesia, late 19th to early 20th c., ceramic, 14″ x 9″, $1200.

Shaman figure - Rare, for healing and divination rituals. Dhoki village, Flores Island, Indonesia, stone, late 19th to early 20th c., This effigy was passed down from father to son. Once a year, it is fed blood to empower it. 14" x 9 1/2" 6 1/2" w/o base (17" with base), — Shaman Figure – Rare

Dhoki village, Flores Island, Indonesia, stone, late 19th to early 20th c., For healing and divination rituals. This effigy was passed down from father to son. Once a year, it is fed blood to empower it. 14″ x 9 1/2″ 6 1/2″ w/o base (17″ with base), $1600.

Shaman's Medicine Jar/Container for healing herbs and substances, with carved seated figure holding a ceramic or wooden vessel. Sumba Indonesia, early 20th c., bamboo, wood, twine, pigment, 23" x 7" — Shaman’s Medicine Jar (see next image for top detail)

Sumba Island, Indonesia, early 20th c., bamboo, wood, twine, pigment, Container for healing herbs and substances, with carved seated figure holding a ceramic or wooden vessel. 23″ x 7″, $390.

Detail of Shaman's Medicine Jar/Container for healing herbs and substances, with carved seated figure holding a ceramic or wooden vessel. Sumba Indonesia, early 20th c., bamboo, wood, twine, pigment, 23" x 7" — Detail (from previous image) of Shaman’s Medicine Jar

Shaman's medicine jar, for healing herbs and substances. Sumba Island, Indonesia, early 20th c. bamboo, wood, twine, 12" x 4 1/2", $ — Shaman’s Medicine Jar

Sumba Island, Indonesia, early 20th c. bamboo, wood, twine, for healing herbs and substances, 12″ x 4 1/2″, $280.

Shaman Figure, Anakalang village, West Sumba Island, Indonesia, used for healing and protection and to predict auspicious dates for rituals, and possibly to find lost items. Early 20th c., stone, pigment, 15 1/4" x 8", — Shaman Figure

Anakalang village, West Sumba Island, Indonesia, Early 20th c., stone, pigment, used for healing and protection and to predict auspicious dates for rituals, and possibly to find lost items. 15 1/4″ x 8″, $1800.

Shaman's Power Object/Healing Wand, Cat, Horse, Dog, Bird, Sumba Island, Indonesia, Early 20th c., wood, 9 1/2" x 2 1/4" x 2" — Shaman’s Power Object/Healing Wand, Cat, Horse, Dog, Bird (see next image for detail)

Sumba Island, Indonesia, Early 20th c., wood, 9 1/2″ x 2 1/4″ x 2″, $160.

Detail of Shaman's Power Object/Healing Wand, Cat, Horse, Dog, Bird, Sumba Island, Indonesia, Early 20th c., wood, 9 1/2" x 2 1/4" x 2" — (detail of previous image) Shaman’s Power Object/Healing Wand, Cat, Horse, Dog, Bird

Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, wood, 13 1/2″ x 1 3/4″ x 8″, $220.

Shaman 3-Legged Animal/Spirit Creature Healing Talisman, Sumba Island, Indonesia, early 20th c., wood, 7 1/2" x 11" x 4 3/4", — Shaman Ritual 3-Legged Animal/Spirit/Creature Healing Talisman

Sumba Island, Indonesia, early 20th c., wood, 7 1/2″ x 11″ x 4 3/4″, $140.

Flores, and Timor, are 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. (see Timor and several neighboring Lesser Sunda Islands in the following posts)

Volcano God Effigy (exceptionally rare), Flores Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Manga Lewa Village, Mid 18th c, Stone, cloth. Used by shaman for predicting volcanic eruptions. Passed down through four generations. 15” x 5 ½ x 5 ¾”, sold — Volcano God Effigy (exceptionally rare), Flores Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Manga Lewa Village, Mid 18th c, Stone, cloth

Used by shaman for predicting volcanic eruptions. Passed down through four generations. 15” x 5 ½ x 5 ¾”, SOLD

Shaman Healing Figures, Male and Female Couple, Flores Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Mid 20th c. Wood, patinated with use and age. One of the pair held in each hand during a ceremonial dance for healing a marriage. (female - 8” x 7 ¾” x 1”); (male - 8” x 8” x 1 ½”), $590 (sold as pair) — Shaman Healing Figures, Male, Flores Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Mid 20th c.
Wood

One of the pair held in each hand during a ceremonial dance for healing a marriage. (female – 8” x 7 ¾” x 1”); (male – 8” x 8” x 1 ½”), $590. sold as pair

Magic Protection Figures East Flores Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Mid 20th c, Wood, bamboo, thread. Kept in household kitchen to protect the home. Dimensions: 10" to 17" tall; $135. to $225. — Magic Protection Figures, East Flores Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Mid 20th c, Wood, bamboo, thread

Kept in household kitchen to protect the home. Dimensions: 10″ to 17″ tall; $135. to $225. (far left and far right SOLD)

Used for healing rituals. 15 ½” x 6 ½” x 4”, $320.

'Caci', Ritual Fighting Whip - Caci Flores Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia Manggarai tribe Early 20th c. Wood, rattan, bark, smooth patina from use and age Caci is a powerful magic whip-fighting ritual performed during a harvest festival with complex ritual preparations. It is played by 2 men, usually from different villages. The Whip symbolizes the male phallus, the father and the sky. The shield used with it symbolizes the female, the womb and the earth. These elements are united when the whip hits the shield symbolizing life giving sexual unity. It is a playful event but any blood shed is considered an offering to the ancestors who will then ensure fertility of the land. 14” x 10” x 2 ½” $520. — ‘Caci’, Ritual Fighting Whip, Flores Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Manggarai tribe, Early 20th c, Wood, rattan, bark

‘Caci’ is a powerful magic whip-fighting ritual performed during a harvest festival with complex ritual preparations. It is played by 2 men, usually from different villages. The Whip symbolizes the male phallus, the father and the sky. The shield used with it symbolizes the female, the womb and the earth. These elements are united when the whip hits the shield symbolizing life giving sexual unity. It is a playful event but any blood shed is considered an offering to the ancestors who will then ensure fertility of the land. 14” x 10” x 2 ½”, $520.

Effigy Figure, Flores Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Late 19th to early 20th c, Aggregate Stone, Used by shaman for healing and divination, 11” x 8” x 6”, sold — Effigy Figure, Flores Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Late 19th to early 20th c, Aggregate Stone

Used by shaman for healing and divination, 11” x 8” x 6”, sold

Shaman's Effigy Figure, West Flores Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Bena village, Early to mid 10th c. Stone, Used by shaman for healing and divination. 11 ½” x 7 ½” x 5 ½”, Sold — Shaman’s Effigy Figure, West Flores Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Bena village, Early to mid 10th c, Stone

Used by shaman for healing and divination. 11 ½” x 7 ½” x 5 ½”, Sold

Shaman Figure, Central Flores Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia Island, Japu village, Early 20th c, Stone, cloth strap. For protecting the clan house and for divination, 11” x 3 ½” x 5 ½”, $800. — Shaman Figure, Central Flores Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia Island, Japu village, Early 20th c, Stone, cloth strap

For protecting the clan house and for divination, 11” x 3 ½” x 5 ½”, $800.

Nitta Watu (rare), Kitchen Protector Figure - Shaman Power Object, West Flores Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Maumere district, Nita or Bena Village, Early to mid 19th c, Stone, pigment, cloth strap for hanging. Used to protect a house or home. 14” x 5 ½” x 6”, $1700. — Nitta Watu (rare), Kitchen Protector Figure – Shaman Power Object, West Flores Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Maumere district, Nita or Bena Village, Early to mid 19th c, Stone, pigment, cloth strap for hanging

Used to protect a house or home. 14” x 5 ½” x 6”, $1700.

Magic House Protector, West Flores Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Early to mid 19th c, stone, cloth strap, 19” x 5 ¾” x 4 ¼”, $1800.

Balancing The Universe: Shamanism in the Lesser Sundas - Flores Islands — group photo (above) of the 3 previous house protectors figures

Nita Ina, Shaman Magic Figure Flores Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Maumere district, Nita Village, Late 19th to early 20th c, Tree bark, cloth, shell. Used for either ‘white’ or ‘black’ ritual magic (dark energy does not inhabit the figure itself) (male figure -26 ½” x 14 ½” x 6 ½”,$1900.), (female figure -23” x 10” x 5”, $1400.) — Nita Ina, Magic Figure,
Flores Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Maumere district, Nita Village, Late 19th to early 20th c, Tree bark, cloth, shell

Used for either ‘white’ or ‘black’ ritual magic (dark energy does not inhabit the figure itself) (male figure – 26 ½” x 14 ½” x 6 ½”,$1900.), (female figure – 23” x 10” x 5”, $1400.)

Timor Island

Shamanic Talismans, Amulets, Healing and Ritual Power Objects – Tribal Indonesia continued!

Balancing The Universe: Shamanism in the Lesser Sundas – Flores Islands