Ceremonial hair comb called hai kara jangga, from East Sumba, Indonesia.
On important occasions and especially during rituals following the death of a highly placed member of the nobility, women dance with these combs stuck into the hair bun as a crown. Marriageable young women wear the comb over their forehead. The combs are still worn today, but the custom is fast dying out.
This one has bilaterally symmetrical cocks silhouetted and perched on top of antlered deer, depicted in open work with small and delicate designs. Antlered deer symbolise royalty. The fighting cocks represent the upper world of the spirits, ancestors and nobility, as well as the aggression of aristocratic warriors. An abstract central image between them most likely represents a skull tree called an andung, where trophy heads were displayed.
Material: Tortoiseshell
From the first half of the 20th century. In good condition, although one of the teeth (far left) is missing.
Provenance: French private collection.
Dimensions: 15,5 x 14 x 5,5 cm
For a similar example, please see the Metropolitan Museum of Art website, accession number: 1987.447.15.
Literature:
“Parures de tête ethniques d’afrique, d’Asie d’Océanie et d’Amérique”, van Cutsem, Anne, Skira, 2005, p. 216
“Ethnic jewellery and adornment” Daalder, Truus, Ethnic Art Press, 2009, p. 194
“Magie van de vrouw”, Vanderstraete, Anne, werelsmuseum, Rotterdam, 2012, p. 428-9
“Ethnic Jewelry from Indonesia”, Carpenter, Bruce W., Editions Didier Millet, 2011, p. 216
“The jewelry of Southeast Asia”, Richter, Anne, Thames & Hudson, 2000, p. 212
“Power and gold: jewelry from Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines”, Rodgers, Susan, Presteg Verlag, Geneve, 1988, p. 289
“Sieraden, en lichaamsversiering uit Indonesië”, Wassing, Rita, Museum Nusantara, 1984, p 33
“Living with indonesian art”, Brinkgreve, Francine y Stuart-Fox, Rijksmuseum Volkenkunde, 2013, 281
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