all three with pierced panels showing a continuous pattern, mirrored spirals and one showing a stylized anthropomorph

[3]

thirteen luk pamor iron blade, the sorsoran showing a balai gajah, the ganja with greneng. Wooden hilt and silver mendak. Embossed silver pendok bunton

[1]

a fine curved blad, horn hilt and scabbard showing an incesed floral pattern

[1]

central ridge and rattan reinforcements. Beneath a lacquered surface is in the central panel an aso motif visible

[1]

straight iron pamor blade, hilt carved as a floralized figure, pendok topengan.

[1]

thirteen luk iron pamor blade, loose ganja, wooden hilt and cupper mendak, pendok natang.

[1]

The present item is in several ways an extraordinary piece of sculpture. Although medium-sized it does not fit in the frame of ancestor figures hailing from Central Nias. The statue is without limbs and has an unusual carved bell-shaped torso in facets, somehow reminiscent of the formal jacket consisting of stitched strips. The upper part, though, seems in accordance with the usual crowned ancestor figure. The head carved in a bold style with pronounced wing-shaped eyebrows extending towards the ears and a flat chin lends the image a monumental appearance. A three-pronged crown tops the head. On closer inspection the central part of the flat-based crown consists of a central stalk flanked by two fern ornaments and behind two large vertical projections are visible. This forked element appear on statues which belong to the protective ancestral images domain in Niha society. Most notably they emerge on adu hörö figures but also on adu tendro luluwo, protective images which are rendered limbless and with flat torsos. In the latter case we find one or more ancestral statuettes fastened to the prongs by means of plant fibre. This could also have been the case with the present item as an entwined rattan band is attached to the left prong, leaving room for a statuette. For comparison see two statues in the holdings of NMVW: RV-1629-61 and TM-860-8 and published in Nias Tribal Treasures, Delft 1990, p. 239, ill. 94 and 95. These figures seem to be rendered sexless, whereas in the present item typical Central Nias style button-shaped breasts underscore the female sex. Blackish soot patina testifies to the age of this statue which was acquired in situ by the renowned Dutch pioneer in ethnomusicology Jaap Kunst (1891-1960). In 1930 he travelled toghether with Rudolf Bonnet, the famous painter, to Nias. Provenance Collection Jaap Kunst, bought in Nias in the 1930's. Christies Amsterdam, 26 april 1993, ex lot 197. With old label on the bottom with written initials J.K. Private collection The Hague, Holland.

[1]

[1]

standing on a bird.

[1]

carved in the shape of a crocodile's head. On a custom made stand.

[1]

Signed Sam-Willie Ekalook 1925-1993, Belcher Islands, NWT. Sometimes his name is written Sanwillie Iqaluq. With a pair of tusks of polished shells. (small dent line)

[1]

Private German collection

[1]

with weathered patina. Provenance, Joop Schafthuizen, Christie's Amsterdam, ex lot 137, 12-05-1998 and private Dutch collection.

[1]

A special feature here is the fine treatment of bodily parts which are here conceived as a tripartite subdivision, head, torso and legs. Flattened, rounded and notched parts interplay with each other; the extended head with a fine brow line finds its counterpart in the back of the knees. Notice also the subtle arched line indicating the shoulder blades. The carver’s ability gives this statue a modest poise.

[1]

with geometrical pattern of stiched cotton threads in white, red, yellow and green.

[1]

[4]

Herewith a bamboo quiver with arrows.

[2]

The arrows with fine engraving, carved bamboo-wooden arrow ends and open carved arrow ends

[3 + bundle]

a bamboo spear head, the shaft decorated with a carved ancestor figure, entwined in braided plant fiber strings. Provenance collected by Dutch marine captain, ca. 1955.

[2]

[1]

the black silk ground embroidered with a central spinning wheel with radiating peacocks and flowers.

[1]

silk, cotton, and decor of geometrical forms and bands in yellow, red, black and white.

[1]

with painted geometrical and stitched decorations, red , green, beige, yellow on a brown ground.

[1]

The yellow silk ground embroidered with stylised carnations and tulips, the redundant sleeves bound by an embroidered panel with polychrome geometric motifs on garnet ground, tasseled.

[1]

with decor of zoomorphic, anthropomorphic figures and geometrical patterns in supplementary weft, centre with a cross and in the corners large circular motifs.

230 x 122 cm.

[2]

with an embroidered decoration depicting anthropomorphic and zoomorphic figures, geometrical patterns and rosettes.

[1]

the pierched pattern showing a.o. a human face and birds (broken)

[1]

with an anthropomorphic head in the centre.

[1]

Herewith an Papua Golf

[3]

silk, cotton and supplementary silver wrapped thread. Private Dutch collection.

[1]

with four embroidered narrow panels, the dark panels showing alternating pattern of a quadruped- and a floral design and stitched cermuk all over. Private Dutch collection from the 1960's.

[1]

showing a pattern of 'phoenix' amids a floral pattern. Provenance, private Dutch collection bought from Koffyberg a dealer in 1956.

[1]

decorated with a pattern of birds, lar and flowers. Private Dutch collection, bought in 1957.

[1]

wearing two necklaces and glossy brown patina.

[1]

in the shape of a stylized zebu. Provenance, Justin Barthels, Maastricht.

[1]

At the back a printed label of Ratton a Paris. Bought at Ratton in the late 1960's, private collection Amsterdam.

[1]

with six horns bound at the top with plant fiber, a flat forehead and large protruding nose.

[1]

surmounted by a fine human head.

[1]

three horn, one bone and two fine carved wooden containers. All with stoppers.

[6]

resting on four high bent legs and with a stylized triangular front and two protrutions underneath.

[1]

surmounted by an anthropomorphic head. With plant fiber cord.

[1]

top of head hollowed and filled with sacrificial substance, the figure with a protruding vulva.

[1]

with scarifications and with red and black pigments.

[1]