Timor solid silver bracelet, Indonesia

Solid silver warrior bracelet Niti Maskuna from Western Timor, Nusa Tenggara from the Atoni Pah Meto people. The knobs of the bracelet were used as weapons in hand-to-hand combat between villages. These bracelets, worn only by men,  were used for everyday wear but also formed part of the ceremonial war-dance costumes which are part of the adat ceremonies.

High-grade silver, which was obtained from the rijksdaalders from the Netherlands.

Early 20th century

Dimensions:

Total size: 9,5 x 6,5 m
Inner diameter: 5,8 cm
Back opening: 3 cm

Weight: 99,7 gr

Literature:

“Bracelets ethniques d’afrique, d’Asie d’Océanie et d’Amérique”, van Cutsem,  Anne, Skira, 2002
“Vanishing beauty “, The Art Institute of Chicago, 2016
“Silver from fetish to fashion”, Nadler, Daniel and Serga, pdn publishing, 2005
“De kracht van Zilver. Etnische sieraden uit de collectie smith hutschenruyter”, Mols, Luitgard, Wereld Museum, Rotterdam, 2011

INDO53