Three 19th C. Indonesian Wood & Buffalo Horn Spoons
Similar Sale History
View More Items in Flatware & CutleryRelated Flatware & Cutlery
More Items in Flatware & Cutlery
View MoreRecommended Tableware & Barware
View MoreItem Details
Description
Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Timor Island, Tetum; Sulawesi Island, Toraja people, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A fabulous ensemble of 3 spoons: 2 Toraja wood spoons and 1 Timor Island spoon of buffalo horn. Both enveloped in a rich hue of espresso, each of the wooden spoons presents a curved form with a lengthy, shallow bowl of a rectangular shape, an attenuated handle with a convex verso, and a flared tip. The larger displays an annular drill hole on the tip of its handle for suspension, while the more petite example showcases a bifurcated tip resembling the tail of a fish. Last, the buffalo horn exhibits a deep, circular bowl and a side-facing handle in the form of 2 stylized birds facing opposite directions with one sitting atop the other, all adorned with intricately incised abstract designs. Size of largest: 6.4" L x 1.7" W (16.3 cm x 4.3 cm); 6" H (15.2 cm) on included custom stand.
Ritual spoons like this example are typically carved by Timorese men. According to the Dallas Museum of Art, "The splendidly decorated ritual spoons were found over a much larger area than West Timor. The most impressive specimens, often adorned with beautiful openwork carving, are probably those of the Tetun in Central Timor. An interesting feature of their decoration is the frequent use of human figures, as well as the bird motif. Both subjects are sometimes rendered in high relief, and in some rare cases the human figures are even partially three-dimensional. These human shapes probably had a meaning comparable to that of the birds, signifying that the deceased had said his farewells to the community and was now a part of the realm of the ancestors."
Cf. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession numbers 1988.143.136 and 1999.47.60.
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, 1995 to 2010; ex-Ami Brown collection, New York, USA, 1950 to 1970
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#168587
Ritual spoons like this example are typically carved by Timorese men. According to the Dallas Museum of Art, "The splendidly decorated ritual spoons were found over a much larger area than West Timor. The most impressive specimens, often adorned with beautiful openwork carving, are probably those of the Tetun in Central Timor. An interesting feature of their decoration is the frequent use of human figures, as well as the bird motif. Both subjects are sometimes rendered in high relief, and in some rare cases the human figures are even partially three-dimensional. These human shapes probably had a meaning comparable to that of the birds, signifying that the deceased had said his farewells to the community and was now a part of the realm of the ancestors."
Cf. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession numbers 1988.143.136 and 1999.47.60.
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, 1995 to 2010; ex-Ami Brown collection, New York, USA, 1950 to 1970
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#168587
Condition
Both wooden spoons have small areas of loss on peripheries of bowls. Horn example has minor loss to crest of top bird on handle and bottom periphery of bowl. All have expected nicks and abrasions, commensurate with age and use. Otherwise, all are excellent with lovely patina.
Buyer's Premium
- 26.5%
Three 19th C. Indonesian Wood & Buffalo Horn Spoons
Estimate $800 - $1,200
2 bidders are watching this item.
Get approved to bid.
Shipping & Pickup Options
Item located in Louisville, CO, usOffers In-House Shipping
Local Pickup Available
Payment
TOP