Amulet

Museum number:
18-1018
Permalink:
ark:/21549/hm21180001018
Accession number:
Acc.3083
Description:
Amulet, bone, triangular; one side has incised Batak characters and one anthropomorphic protective spirit figure (”pinarhalak”); on other side is incised curvilinear design (”bindu matoga”) perforated at narrow end. Made from incised scapula. 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 12.3 cm.
Donor:
Mrs. Earl M. Blair
Collection place:
Sumatra, Indonesia
Culture or time period:
Batak
Collector:
Earl M. Blair
Collection date:
1923-1938
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Amulets
Function:
5.2 Magic: Objects Associated with Practices reflecting confidence in the ability to manipulate supernatural agencies
Accession date:
1974
Department:
Asia (except western Russia)
Images:
Hearst Museum object 1 of 2 titled Amulet, accession number 18-1018, described as Amulet, bone, triangular; one side has incised Batak characters and one anthropomorphic protective spirit figure (”pinarhalak”); on other side is incised curvilinear design (”bindu matoga”) perforated at narrow end. Made from incised scapula. 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 12.3 cm.Hearst Museum object 2 of 2 titled Amulet, accession number 18-1018, described as Amulet, bone, triangular; one side has incised Batak characters and one anthropomorphic protective spirit figure (”pinarhalak”); on other side is incised curvilinear design (”bindu matoga”) perforated at narrow end. Made from incised scapula. 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 12.3 cm.
Legacy documentation:
Documentation associated with Hearst Museum object titled Amulet, accession number 18-1018, described as Amulet, bone, triangular; one side has incised Batak characters and one anthropomorphic protective spirit figure (”pinarhalak”); on other side is incised curvilinear design (”bindu matoga”) perforated at narrow end. Made from incised scapula. 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 12.3 cm.

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