Medicine Horn
Batak, Sumatra
Late 19th Century


Known as naga-morsarang to the Batak; these large medicinal containers were used by Datu priests to hold important magical substances. The large sweeping horn is phenomenally carved with several snakes and a lizard forming at the top while the bottom terminates into stylized human figures with tufts of horse hair projecting outwards. The wooden stopper is of a classic ancestor figure with wonderful abstracted hands and an expressive face with remnants of horse hair still exposed on top of the head. The patina is rich from handling and partly encrusted from soot and other materials that built up over time.

This Medicine Container Stands 22.5” tall

SOLD / 5-7-11