Specifications

• Height: 52 cm
• Material: water buffalo horn, wood, plant fibre
• Position: 
• Gender: 
• Indigenous name: naga morsarang

Provenance

Private collection, The Hague

Publications

Rossel, Siebe & Arnold Wentholt (eds.)(2008), Tribal Treasures in Dutch Private Collections, 124.

Ref.: Sibeth, Achim & Bruce Carpenter (2007), Batak Sculpture, 107.

Additional information

A simple medicine horn with a fine carving on the lid. The lid is usually a singa (Sanskrit ‘lion’) head or an equestrian figure riding a four-legged animal. In the batak perception, the singa transformed into a dragon, called Naga Padoha, lord of the underworld, depicted as a four legged snake with an elephant head and upright horns. The rider of the dragon is the symbol of the cosmic order. 

Photo credits

Ben Grishaaver, Leiden