Date of the Auction: March 26, 2022 10:00 am PDT
Spring Antique Art and Arms 1Auction |
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Lot:216 , RARE EARLY 20TH C. INDONESIAN SULAWESI TORAJA ARMOR VEST
Description:
A rare form of an Indonesian armor from the Toraja people, this kind of armor ismade of materials found in nature. Older examples consist of fish scales and tree bark such asthose found in the Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford. The larger fish scales are attached to the lowervest with split rattan fibers, the smaller ones with a fixed string made from plant fibers. Thelower vest consists of interwoven layers of tree bark. Other examples in the Leiden Museum,Netherland made of tree bark or buffalo skin and cut in a similarmanner to the Schmiedt Collection example and are attributed to the Toraja people of Sulawesi.These armored vests are part of the traditional warrior's regalia of the Toraja of upland Sulawesi.The vest consists of a rattan and plant fiber backing to which armored plates are sewn. At onelevel these costumes provided warriors with actual armor. At another, the ensemble afforded thewarrior a number of magical amulets for repelling the mystical threats of enemy warriors andmagicians: the helmet that is worn with such vests is topped with buffalo horns, symbolizingluck and success, and the panels on the armor have magical protective qualities.For some time, the primary use of armored vests in the Tana Toraja has been ritual orceremonial. Warrior dances are a key part of ceremonial water buffalo and pig exchange and ofthe elaborate funeral rituals of the Toraja. Relationships between families were expressedthrough blood, marriage, and shared ancestral houses, and sealed by the exchange of waterbuffalo and pigs on ritual occasions. Such exchanges not only build political and cultural tiesbetween families but help define each person's place in a social hierarchy: who pours palm wine,who wraps a corpse and prepares offerings (perhaps the most important Torajan ritual acts),where each person can or cannot sit, what dishes should be used or avoided, and even what pieceof meat constitutes one's share in a communal feast.This example in the Schmiedt Collection is in fine condition with well-toned bark or leather scales. The vest open in the front and with two shoulder straps. The scales appear to be securedon a rattan backing. First half of 20th century, not a common example.Comparable auction sale:https://sothebyshome.com/antique-bone-armor-of-the-indonesian-toraja-warriors-acc-36177-24219.htmlReferences:1. Van Zonneveld, A.G. (2001) Traditional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago.Leiden: Art Books.Detailed condition reports are not included in this catalog. For additional information, including condition reports, please contact us at info@sofedesignauctions.com
Estimate: $600-$750
Prebidding Ends: March 26, 2022 09:00 am PDT
Live Internet Bidding Begins: March 26, 2022 10:00 am PDT