Media available: image / Accession year: [Missing] / Loans: S1978-1979 #7: Music Library (UC Berkeley)/Ann Basart (July 13, 1978–October 25, 1978) - Hearst Museum Portal Search Results

Start Over Media available image Accession year [Missing] Loans S1978-1979 #7: Music Library (UC Berkeley)/Ann Basart (July 13, 1978–October 25, 1978)

Hearst Museum object titled Amulet, accession number 18-941, described as Amulet, bone, section of rib, with incised figures of a mythical fish and bird on one side and a Batak inscription on the other; perforation on one end. Made from rib bone of sacrificed water buffalo. Used as a protective amulet; worn by warriors under headcloth to ward off bullets, missiles, and lethal blows; other uses: hung on the roof post of the house during ritual hair washing; worn by menstruating women to ward off ghosts and spirits that might cause illness; the figures are apotropaic, and the inscription is a spell summoning certain spirits. Length 13.5 cm.

Hearst Museum object titled Amulet, accession number 18-940, described as Amulet, bone; one side covered with inscription in Batak characters; other side has a protective spirit figure, a seven-pointed star, and eight-armed and four-armed cross; triangular shape, perforation near apex. Made from scapula of a sacrificed water buffalo. Used as a protective amulet; worn by warriors under the headcloth to ward off bullets, missiles, and lethal blows; other used: hung on the roof post of the house during ritual hand washing; worn by menstruating women to ward off ghosts and spirits that might cause illness; the figures are apotropaic, and the inscription is a spell summoning certain spirits. Length 16.5 cm

Hearst Museum object titled Betel scissors, accession number 18-895, described as Scissors for splitting “betel nuts;” iron scissors in shape of “wayang” character; geometric designs all over; silver-like handles. Length 21.8 cm.

Hearst Museum object titled Book, accession number 18-942, described as Book, written in Batak character in black ink on a long piece of bark folded like an accordion. A magician’s book for controlling spirits. Width 6 cm.

Hearst Museum object titled Calendar, accession number 18-945, described as calendar inscribed in Batak script on a joint of bamboo; Context of use: calendar divided into 12 months of 30 days each; used for determining lucky and unlucky days for various undertakings, especially marriages and wars. Sometimes the magician spins it into a dish of water and reads the upper visible portion as an augury

Hearst Museum object titled Flute, accession number 18-63, described as Flute; Suling, four holes. Length 13 inches

Hearst Museum object titled Knives and sheath, accession number 18-912a-c, described as Knives for circumcision ceremonies, two brass, in brass sheath; sheath has two holes for knives, upturned point at end; knives are iron set into brass handles -- one handle has male figure, one has female figure. (a) Length 16 cm. Width 5.4 cm. (b) Length 20 cm. Width 2.4 cm. (c) 20.2 x 2.6 cm. Used as principals in circumcision ceremonies.

Hearst Museum object titled Mask, accession number 18-893, described as Mask - wall hanging; anthropomorphic face “mask;” carved wood; olive green ground, red, gold-toned and black painted features; orange silk painted features; orange silk plaited hanging cord through perforations at side. Curio. Many “masks” of this genre were carved for Japanese officers during the occupation of Indonesia (1941-45) but this example may be earlier (fide Joseph Fischer, 1978). Height 32 cm.

Hearst Museum object titled Shadow puppet, accession number 18-816, described as puppet, shadow; depicts the nobleman Sadewa; tanned stiffened leather is cut to predetermined shape, small cutouts made, painted red, gold, yellow, black, green; both arms movable; mounted upon carved horn stick; used as puppet in wajang kulit performances held in front of screen and behind light, moved

Hearst Museum object titled Shadow puppet, accession number 18-871, described as shadow puppet; a demon or monkey; tanned stiffened leather cut to traditional pattern; small decorative cutouts; painted various colors with reddish body; both arms move, mounted on carved wood stick; used as puppet in wajang kulit performances; held in front of light, behind screen, moved; Riwanda Gheni, the “ape with hair like fire”