Specifications

• Height: 53 cm
• Material: wood, red paint
• Position:
• Gender:
• Indigenous name: topeng
• Price realised: Dfl. 6000,- hp

Provenance

Leendert van Lier, Blaricum; Christie’s Amsterdam, 15-4-1997, lot 103

Publications

Additional information

Masks like these were employed during funeral processions of high ranking members of the Toba, Karo and Simalungun societies. Funeral rites are scarcely recorded and we do therefore not know to which spirit, figure these masks refer. In this strong mask elements of nature, i.e. hair and wood, and culture (metal) are combined.

Photo credits

Christie’s Amsterdam