substances (naga morsarang), 19th20th century
Indonesia, Sumatra, Toba Batak people
Horn (buffalo), wood; H. 20 1/2 in. (52.1 cm)
Gift of Fred and Rita Richman, 1987 (1987.453.1)


AmongtheBatak people of Sumatra, the datu, or ritual specialist, requiredavariety of containers made of different Materials(Dark Emperador) to holdhissuperNatural(Oman Beige)ly powerful mixtures and potions. This vessel, known asanaga morsarang, consists of the hollow horn of a water buffalo,itsouter surface incised with curving foliate designs. In the interiorofthe horn, the earth deity Boraspati Ni Tano is represented in theformof a lizard, a motif that occurs on other ritual objects suchasdivination books.
Price : $218.00