Material: Wood, iron
Style: Bali, Indonesia
Size: Height 8.5 cm, Width 12 cm, Length 26  cm
Order Number: MHSBRC1

Rice is the world’s most important crop and the staple food of half the world’s population. In most parts of Indonesia rice is the staple food. Rice cultivation is accompanied by many rituals and beliefs and the tools were decorated by the rice farmers or specialists.

The fields must be kept flooded while the plants are growing. Yellow-green shoots sprout up in the silvery water. The rice grows tall and green. When the tops droop, the plants are mature and ready to harvest.

Rice cutters were used to cut the ears of rice at harvesting time. They cut the ears of grain (padi) one by one very carefully, and tried not to lose any grains. They were then tied into bundles and stored in the granary.

They used the hand knife so that it did not hurt or frighten the rice or be offensive to the rice goddess. Now rice is harvested with a sickle, but some farmers still have a special field in the corner for traditional rice and harvest it with the hand knife.

Early – mid 20th century.

Girl going home after picking rice with an ani-ani in her hair (1935).

Map of Bali.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Balinese Rice Cutter appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood, iron blade
Style: Kalimantan, Indonesia
Size: Height 12 cm, Length 13.5  cm, Handle: Width 30 cm (top), 17 cm (bottom)
Order Number: MHSRC1

Rice is the world’s most important crop and the staple food of half the world’s population. In most parts of Indonesia rice is the staple food. Rice cultivation is accompanied by many rituals and beliefs and the tools were decorated by the rice farmers or specialists.

The fields must be kept flooded while the plants are growing. Yellow-green shoots sprout up in the silvery water. The rice grows tall and green. When the tops droop, the plants are mature and ready to harvest.

Rice cutters were used to cut the ears of rice at harvesting time. They cut the ears of grain (padi) one by one very carefully, and tried not to lose any grains. They were then tied into bundles and stored in the granary.

They used the hand knife so that it did not hurt or frighten the rice or be offensive to the rice goddess. Now rice is harvested with a sickle, but some farmers still have a special field in the corner for traditional rice and harvest it with the hand knife.

The design is a naga or water dragon. Many Borneo groups in Kalimantan represent the upper world god as a hornbill and the underworld goddess as a naga. Their dynamic opposition expresses their unity and source of life.

The hornbill is a large white and black bird with a striking red beak. For the Barito group, Borneo’s largest group, covering the southern half of the island,  it is the upperworld  male supreme deity. For the Iban of Sarawak, Kenyah and related groups of Sarawak and East Kalimantan it is the messenger of the remote high god.

The female water-dragon provides protection to mankind in everyday life. She guards the dead and eases the passage to the next life. She is portrayed in almost all artifacts from kitchen utensils to funerary monuments.

Early – mid 20th century.

Girl going home after picking rice with an ani-ani in her hair (1935).

Map of Kalimantan.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Kalimantan Rice Cutter Ani-Ani 1 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood, iron blade
Style: Kalimantan, Indonesia
Size: Height 12 cm, Length 23  cm, Handle: Width 11 cm
Order Number: MHSRC2

Rice is the world’s most important crop and the staple food of half the world’s population. In most parts of Indonesia rice is the staple food. Rice cultivation is accompanied by many rituals and beliefs and the tools were decorated by the rice farmers or specialists.

The fields must be kept flooded while the plants are growing. Yellow-green shoots sprout up in the silvery water. The rice grows tall and green. When the tops droop, the plants are mature and ready to harvest.

Rice cutters were used to cut the ears of rice at harvesting time. They cut the ears of grain (padi) one by one very carefully, and tried not to lose any grains. They were then tied into bundles and stored in the granary.

They used the hand knife so that it did not hurt or frighten the rice or be offensive to the rice goddess. Now rice is harvested with a sickle, but some farmers still have a special field in the corner for traditional rice and harvest it with the hand knife.

The carvings are the hornbill and naga or water dragon. Many Borneo groups in Kalimantan represent the upper world god as a hornbill and the underworld goddess as a naga. Their dynamic opposition expresses their unity and source of life.

The hornbill is a large white and black bird with a striking red beak. For the Barito group, Borneo’s largest group, covering the southern half of the island,  it is the upperworld  male supreme deity. For the Iban of Sarawak, Kenyah and related groups of Sarawak and East Kalimantan it is the messenger of the remote high god.

The female water-dragon provides protection to mankind in everyday life. She guards the dead and eases the passage to the next life. She is portrayed in almost all artifacts from kitchen utensils to funerary monuments.

Early – mid 20th century.

Girl going home after picking rice with an ani-ani in her hair (1935).

Map of Kalimantan.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Kalimantan Rice Cutter Ani-Ani 2 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood
Style: Lombok, Indonesia
Size: Height 17 cm, Handle: Width 15.5 cm (top), 10 cm (bottom), Length 19  cm,
Order Number: MHSLRC1

Rice is the world’s most important crop and the staple food of half the world’s population. In most parts of Indonesia rice is the staple food. Rice cultivation is accompanied by many rituals and beliefs and the tools were decorated by the rice farmers or specialists.

The fields must be kept flooded while the plants are growing. Yellow-green shoots sprout up in the silvery water. The rice grows tall and green. When the tops droop, the plants are mature and ready to harvest.

Rice cutters were used to cut the ears of rice at harvesting time. They cut the ears of grain (padi) one by one very carefully, and tried not to lose any grains. They were then tied into bundles and stored in the granary.

They used the hand knife so that it did not hurt or frighten the rice or be offensive to the rice goddess. Now rice is harvested with a sickle, but some farmers still have a special field in the corner for traditional rice and harvest it with the hand knife.

The handle is a naga or water dragon. The blade is missing.

Early – mid 20th century.

Girl going home after picking rice with an ani-ani in her hair (1935).

Map of Lombok.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Lombok Rice Cutter Ani-Ani 1 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood, iron blade
Style: Lombok, Indonesia
Size: Height 8 cm, Handle: Width 10 cm (top), 6 cm (bottom), Length 13  cm
Order Number: MHSLRC2

Rice is the world’s most important crop and the staple food of half the world’s population. In most parts of Indonesia rice is the staple food. Rice cultivation is accompanied by many rituals and beliefs and the tools were decorated by the rice farmers or specialists.

The fields must be kept flooded while the plants are growing. Yellow-green shoots sprout up in the silvery water. The rice grows tall and green. When the tops droop, the plants are mature and ready to harvest.

Rice cutters were used to cut the ears of rice at harvesting time. They cut the ears of grain (padi) one by one very carefully, and tried not to lose any grains. They were then tied into bundles and stored in the granary.

They used the hand knife so that it did not hurt or frighten the rice or be offensive to the rice goddess. Now rice is harvested with a sickle, but some farmers still have a special field in the corner for traditional rice and harvest it with the hand knife.

The handle is a bird.

Early – mid 20th century.

Girl going home after picking rice with an ani-ani in her hair (1935).

Map of Lombok.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Lombok Rice Cutter Ani-Ani 2 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood, iron blade
Style: Lampung, Sumatra, Indonesia
Size: Height 6 cm, Length 9  cm, Handle: Width 15 cm (top), 8 cm (bottom)
Order Number: MHSSRC1

Rice is the world’s most important crop and the staple food of half the world’s population. In most parts of Indonesia rice is the staple food. Rice cultivation is accompanied by many rituals and beliefs and the tools were decorated by the rice farmers or specialists.

The fields must be kept flooded while the plants are growing. Yellow-green shoots sprout up in the silvery water. The rice grows tall and green. When the tops droop, the plants are mature and ready to harvest.

Rice cutters were used to cut the ears of rice at harvesting time. They cut the ears of grain (padi) one by one very carefully, and tried not to lose any grains. They were then tied into bundles and stored in the granary.

They used the hand knife so that it did not hurt or frighten the rice or be offensive to the rice goddess. Now rice is harvested with a sickle, but some farmers still have a special field in the corner for traditional rice and harvest it with the hand knife.

Early – mid 20th century.

Girl going home after picking rice with an ani-ani in her hair (1935).

Map of Lampung, Sumatra.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Sumatran Rice Cutter Ani-Ani 1 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood
Style: Sumatra, Indonesia
Size: Height 8 cm, Length 21  cm, Handle: Width 12 cm (top), 7 cm (bottom)
Order Number: MHSSRC2

Rice is the world’s most important crop and the staple food of half the world’s population. In most parts of Indonesia rice is the staple food. Rice cultivation is accompanied by many rituals and beliefs and the tools were decorated by the rice farmers or specialists.

The fields must be kept flooded while the plants are growing. Yellow-green shoots sprout up in the silvery water. The rice grows tall and green. When the tops droop, the plants are mature and ready to harvest.

Rice cutters were used to cut the ears of rice at harvesting time. They cut the ears of grain (padi) one by one very carefully, and tried not to lose any grains. They were then tied into bundles and stored in the granary.

They used the hand knife so that it did not hurt or frighten the rice or be offensive to the rice goddess. Now rice is harvested with a sickle, but some farmers still have a special field in the corner for traditional rice and harvest it with the hand knife.

The blade is missing.

Early – mid 20th century.

Girl going home after picking rice with an ani-ani in her hair (1935).

Map of Lampung, Sumatra.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Sumatran Rice Cutter Ani-Ani 2 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood, iron blade
Style: Sumatra, Indonesia
Size: Height 6 cm, Handle: Width 6 cm (top), 8.5 cm (bottom)
Order Number: MHSSRC3

Rice is the world’s most important crop and the staple food of half the world’s population. In most parts of Indonesia rice is the staple food. Rice cultivation is accompanied by many rituals and beliefs and the tools were decorated by the rice farmers or specialists.

The fields must be kept flooded while the plants are growing. Yellow-green shoots sprout up in the silvery water. The rice grows tall and green. When the tops droop, the plants are mature and ready to harvest.

Rice cutters were used to cut the ears of rice at harvesting time. They cut the ears of grain (padi) one by one very carefully, and tried not to lose any grains. They were then tied into bundles and stored in the granary.

They used the hand knife so that it did not hurt or frighten the rice or be offensive to the rice goddess. Now rice is harvested with a sickle, but some farmers still have a special field in the corner for traditional rice and harvest it with the hand knife.

There is a hole in the centre at the top for a stick handle. Very nice patina.

Early – mid 20th century.

Girl going home after picking rice with an ani-ani in her hair (1935).

Map of Lampung, Sumatra.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Sumatran Rice Cutter Ani-Ani 3 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood, iron blade
Style: Sumatra, Indonesia
Size: Handle: Width 5 cm (bottom)
Order Number: MHSSRC4

Rice is the world’s most important crop and the staple food of half the world’s population. In most parts of Indonesia rice is the staple food. Rice cultivation is accompanied by many rituals and beliefs and the tools were decorated by the rice farmers or specialists.

The fields must be kept flooded while the plants are growing. Yellow-green shoots sprout up in the silvery water. The rice grows tall and green. When the tops droop, the plants are mature and ready to harvest.

Rice cutters were used to cut the ears of rice at harvesting time. They cut the ears of grain (padi) one by one very carefully, and tried not to lose any grains. They were then tied into bundles and stored in the granary.

They used the hand knife so that it did not hurt or frighten the rice or be offensive to the rice goddess. Now rice is harvested with a sickle, but some farmers still have a special field in the corner for traditional rice and harvest it with the hand knife.

Very nice patina.

Early – mid 20th century.

Girl going home after picking rice with an ani-ani in her hair (1935).

Map of Lampung, Sumatra.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Sumatran Rice Cutter Ani-Ani 4 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Bamboo
Style: Bali
Size: Diameter 44 cm, height 23 cm
Order Number: CL10

The post Conical Bamboo Hat appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood, bamboo
Style:  Bali, Indonesia
Size: Length 56 cm, Width 22 cm
Order Number: MHSCBB1

There’s a set of these fish-shaped baskets – small, medium and large.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Cute Balinese Basket 1 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood, bamboo
Style:  Bali, Indonesia
Size: Length 70 cm, Width 31.5 cm
Order Number: MHSCBB2

There’s a set of these fish-shaped baskets – small, medium and large.

This medium size has a small break at the end of one fin.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Cute Balinese Basket 2 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood, bamboo
Style:  Bali, Indonesia
Size: Length 70 cm, Width 41 cm
Order Number: MHSCBB3

There’s a set of these fish-shaped baskets – small, medium and large.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Cute Balinese Basket 3 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Bamboo, hand made
Style: Western Kalimantan
Size: Height 20 cm, Length 20 cm, Width 20 cm
Order Number: MHSBAST1

The post Kalimantan Basket 1 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Bamboo, hand made
Style: Western Kalimantan
Size: Height 27 cm, Length 13 cm, Width 13 cm
Order Number: MHSBAST2

The post Kalimantan Basket 2 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Bamboo, hand made
Style: Western Kalimantan
Size: Height 27 cm (to the top of the basket), 40 cm (to the top of the straps), Length 20 cm, Depth 12 cm
Order Number: MHSBAST3

The post Kalimantan Basket 3 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Bamboo, wood
Style: Karo Batak people, Lake Toba, North Sumatra, Indonesia
Size: Height 18 cm
Order Number: MHSOSMC3

This tall container called a tagan is made of finely etched bamboo and a carved, domed wooden stopper. The Karo Batak people of North Sumatra used them to hold powdered lime for the betel quid. Betel chewing was widespread among the Batak.  It is now mainly chewed by older people – usually women.

The lime was made by burning seashells and coral and then grinding them to a powder. The container has a good patina showing its use and age.

There is an example in Art of Island Southeast Asia, The Fred and Rita Richman Collection in The Metropolitan Museum of Art,  Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, N.Y.), Florina H. Capistrano-Baker, 1994, page 132.

There is also one in The Batak, Peoples of the Island of Sumatra, Achim Sibeth, Thames and Hudson, 1991, page 155.

19th – early 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Old Sumatran Etched Bamboo Lime Container (Tagan) appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Bamboo, wood
Style: Batak people, Lake Toba, North Sumatra, Indonesia
Size: Height 25 cm, Diameter 6.5 cm
Order Number: MHSOSMC1

Medicine container, etched with geometric motifs, with carved wooden stopper in the form of a man riding a mythological animal, usually described as similar to a lion, with a human face.

Magician priests keep their magical brews (pupuk) in medicine containers. They often use hollow bamboo tubes and the open end is stopped with a wooden plug, the top being usually carved in the shape of a human figure.

The medicine containers were carried by a cord attached to the man’s belt or over his shoulder.

Early – mid 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Old Sumatran Medicine Container 1 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Bamboo, wood
Style: Batak people, Lake Toba, North Sumatra, Indonesia
Size: Height 34 cm, Diameter 7 cm
Order Number: MHSOSMC2

Medicine container, etched with geometric motifs, with carved wooden stopper in the form of a man sitting on top of the head of another man with a large face.

Magician priests keep their magical brews (pupuk) in medicine containers. They often use hollow bamboo tubes and the open end is stopped with a wooden plug, the top being usually carved in the shape of a human figure.

The medicine containers were carried by a cord attached to the man’s belt or over his shoulder.

Early – mid 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Old Sumatran Medicine Container 2 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Bamboo, wood
Style: Batak people, Lake Toba, North Sumatra, Indonesia
Size: Height 16 cm, Diameter 10 cm (top), 13.5 cm (bottom)
Order Number: MHSCON4

Bamboo medicine container (perminaken), etched with geometric motifs and creatures,  with carved wooden stoppers in the form of a singa (lion).

Magician priests keep their magical brews (pupuk) in medicine containers. They often use hollow horns of goats or water buffalos and the open end is stopped with a wooden plug, the top being usually carved in the shape of a squatting human figure. Some of the rarer ones have a powerful singa head and perhaps part of the lion’s upper body, sometimes with people on its back.

The medicine containers were carried by a cord attached to the man’s belt or over his shoulder.

The post Sumatran Medicine Container 1 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.