Specifications

• Dimension: (largest) 20,5 x 16 cm.
• Material: copper alloy
• Position:
• Gender:
• Indigenous name: sanggori
• Price realised: HK$ 4.462,50 (€ 535,-)

Provenance

Bonham’s, Hong Kong 11-10-2019, lot 1198

Publications

Ref.: Brinkgreve &b Stuart Fox (ed.) (2013), Living with Indonesian Art, pp. 264-65.

Exhibitions

Additional information

An eel is most probably depicted as they are abound in local myths, adorned with one to seven ridges. They come in several versions, the metallic hue deep brown to shiny brass and even encrusted. They were used as ornament in funeral masks (pemia) with the tail turned upward or sideway, but never downward. Polished to a high sheen, it was believed that the dazzling glow of the sanggori would repel the weapons of enemies and provide protection.
The form reminds us as an ornament used by several people belonging to the Austronesian language group.

Photo credits

Bonham’s, HK