Material: Wood
Style:  Singaraja, Bali, Indonesia
Size: Height 21.5 cm, Width 9.5 cm, Depth 3 cm
Order Number: MHSABCFSC2

Called kotak taji, this is a small box in which razor sharp double-bladed steel spurs (taji), about 10 centimetres long,  used for a cockfight, are kept and handed down from one generation to the next. The spur should be forged during a new moon and preferably during a violent thunderstorm.  There are lots of superstitions, many of which are contained in the old palm leaf lontar books. The spur is tied on to the cock’s leg.

There was cockfighting in China in the 6th century BC. It also took place in India, Persia and Ancient Rome and in more modern times Denmark and Spain and among royalty and aristocrats in England. It was also enjoyed in the United States, Latin America and Cuba. It’s been outlawed under cruelty against animal legislation in these countries.

Centuries ago cockfighting – and gambling – were compulsory in Indonesia – and taxed. Cockfighting has been now banned by law throughout Indonesia, although it still takes place. Bali was the last island to ban it in 1981, but 3 bouts are allowed for purification purposes during a Balinese religious ceremony.  There is no need to make more spur boxes and the art will die out.

Offerings called caru,  including part of an animal, often chickens, are placed on the ground to appease bad spirits and avoid harm. Fresh blood spit on the ground from rounds of paired  roosters during cockfighting (tajen) is within this category as it delights evil demons.

It is a favourite sport for Balinese men and gambling is a big attraction.

More information about Cockfights here: https://www.murnis.com/culture/balinese-cockfights/ and in our book Secrets of Bali.

About 80-90 years old.

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

The post Antique Balinese Cock Fighting Spur Container 2 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood
Style:  Bali, Indonesia
Size: Length 19 cm, Width 6.5 cm, Depth 6 cm
Order Number: MHSABCFSCO3

Called kotak taji, this is a small box in which razor sharp double-bladed steel spurs (taji), about 10 centimetres long,  used for a cockfight, are kept and handed down from one generation to the next.  There are lots of superstitions, many of which are contained in the old palm leaf lontar books. The spur is tied on to the cock’s leg.

Cock spurs were regarded in similar terms as the blades for a kris and chanting a mantra while forging a spur was believed to imbue it with magical power. Other rules related to the taji – they should be forged during a new moon and preferably during a violent thunderstorm. Menstruating women were not permitted to even look at a taji, nor could one be touched by anyone who had a family member that had recently died.

There was cockfighting in China in the 6th century BC. It also took place in India, Persia and Ancient Rome and in more modern times Denmark and Spain and among royalty and aristocrats in England. It was also enjoyed in the United States, Latin America and Cuba. It’s been outlawed under cruelty against animal legislation in these countries.

Centuries ago cockfighting – and gambling – were compulsory in Indonesia – and taxed. Cockfighting has been now banned by law throughout Indonesia, although it still takes place. Bali was the last island to ban it in 1981, but 3 bouts are allowed for purification purposes during a Balinese religious ceremony. 

There is no need to make more spur boxes and the art will die out.

Offerings called caru,  including part of an animal, often chickens, are placed on the ground to appease bad spirits and avoid harm. Fresh blood spit on the ground from rounds of paired  roosters during cockfighting (tajen) is within this category as it delights evil demons.

It is a favourite sport for Balinese men and gambling is a big attraction.

The case has a superb, deep patina. There are 10 compartments and each compartment can contain 4 spurs. There are 4 holes for this purpose in each internal compartment, so it could hold 40 spurs.

The painting style is from the village of Kamasan in the kingdom of Klungkung in east Bali, which became the centre for traditional Balinese painting. Originally, the Kamasan artists served the kings of Gelgel from the 16th century. Kamasan is only about 2 miles (3.2 kilometres) from Gelgel, where the court reigned during Bali’s golden age.

The unique wayang style of painting was Bali’s only form of pictorial representation until the 20th century when the Western artists arrived in central Bali and influenced artists to paint realistic scenes of everyday life.

The subject-matter tends to come from the Ramayana and Mahabarata epic stories, frequently battle scenes and especially the story of Rama, Sita and Rawana. There are gods, demons, birds, flames, bushes, trees and mythical animals.

The high quality suggests it was owned by a member of a royal family.

More information about Cockfights here: https://www.murnis.com/culture/balinese-cockfights/ and in our book Secrets of Bali.

Late 19th – early 20th century.

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

The post Antique Balinese Cock Fighting Spur Container 3 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood
Style:  Bali, Indonesia
Size: Length 20 cm, Width 5.5 cm, Depth 5 cm
Order Number: MHSABCFSC4

Called kotak taji, this is a small box in which razor sharp double-bladed steel spurs (taji), used for a cockfight, are kept and handed down from one generation to the next.  There are lots of superstitions, many of which are contained in the old palm leaf lontar books. The spur is tied on to the cock’s leg.

Cock spurs were regarded in similar terms as the blades for a kris and chanting a mantra while forging a spur was believed to imbue it with magical power. Other rules related to the taji – they should be forged during a new moon and preferably during a violent thunderstorm. Menstruating women were not permitted to even look at a taji, nor could one be touched by anyone who had a family member that had recently died.

There was cockfighting in China in the 6th century BC. It also took place in India, Persia and Ancient Rome and in more modern times Denmark and Spain and among royalty and aristocrats in England. It was also enjoyed in the United States, Latin America and Cuba. It’s been outlawed under cruelty against animal legislation in these countries.

Centuries ago cockfighting – and gambling – were compulsory in Indonesia – and taxed. Cockfighting has been now banned by law throughout Indonesia, although it still takes place. Bali was the last island to ban it in 1981, but 3 bouts are allowed for purification purposes during a Balinese religious ceremony. 

There is no need to make more spur boxes and the art will die out.

Offerings called caru,  including part of an animal, often chickens, are placed on the ground to appease bad spirits and avoid harm. Fresh blood spit on the ground from rounds of paired  roosters during cockfighting (tajen) is within this category as it delights evil demons.

It is a favourite sport for Balinese men and gambling is a big attraction.

The case has a superb, deep patina. There are 10 compartments and each compartment can contain 3 spurs. There are 3 holes for this purpose in each internal compartment, so it could hold 30 spurs.

The painting style is from the village of Kamasan in the kingdom of Klungkung in east Bali, which became the centre for traditional Balinese painting. Originally, the Kamasan artists served the kings of Gelgel from the 16th century. Kamasan is only about 2 miles (3.2 kilometres) from Gelgel, where the court reigned during Bali’s golden age.

The unique wayang style of painting was Bali’s only form of pictorial representation until the 20th century when the Western artists arrived in central Bali and influenced artists to paint realistic scenes of everyday life.

The subject-matter tends to come from the Ramayana and Mahabarata epic stories, frequently battle scenes and especially the story of Rama, Sita and Rawana. There are gods, demons, birds, flames, bushes, trees and mythical animals.

The high quality suggests it was owned by a member of a royal family.

More information about Cockfights here: https://www.murnis.com/culture/balinese-cockfights/ and in our book Secrets of Bali.

Late 19th – early 20th century.

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

The post Antique Balinese Cock Fighting Spur Container 4 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood
Style:  Bali, Indonesia
Size: Height 19 cm, Width 8 cm, Depth 2.5 cm
Order Number: MHSABCFSC1

Called kotak taji, this is a small box in which razor sharp double-bladed steel spurs (taji), about 10 centimetres long,  used for a cockfight, are kept and handed down from one generation to the next. The spur should be forged during a new moon and preferably during a violent thunderstorm.  There are lots of superstitions, many of which are contained in the old palm leaf lontar books. The spur is tied on to the cock’s leg.

There was cockfighting in China in the 6th century BC. It also took place in India, Persia and Ancient Rome and in more modern times Denmark and Spain and among royalty and aristocrats in England. It was also enjoyed in the United States, Latin America and Cuba. It’s been outlawed under cruelty against animal legislation in these countries.

Centuries ago cockfighting – and gambling – were compulsory in Indonesia – and taxed. Cockfighting has been now banned by law throughout Indonesia, although it still takes place. Bali was the last island to ban it in 1981, but 3 bouts are allowed for purification purposes during a Balinese religious ceremony.  There is no need to make more spur boxes and the art will die out.

Offerings called caru,  including part of an animal, often chickens, are placed on the ground to appease bad spirits and avoid harm. Fresh blood spit on the ground from rounds of paired  roosters during cockfighting (tajen) is within this category as it delights evil demons.

It is a favourite sport for Balinese men and gambling is a big attraction.

The carving is Twalen, the favourite Balinese clown character from the Mahabarata, the long Indian epic of the 9th century. He served  the Pandawas and is a shadow puppet in the wayang theatre. The clowns tell jokes and narrate the story for the audience. They translate the Kawi language which the others speak and few people understand. Twalen is comic but wise and a teacher, who gives advice to gods and men. He has a deformed, grotesque body like someone who has swallowed a mountain. He has a fat face and snub nose. Semar is frequently described as neither male nor female. Note he is wearing a finely checked poleng sarong, which symbolises the fight between good and evil.

He is called Semar in Java and is the Guardian God of Java and knows the wills of the gods and men.

More information about Cockfights here: https://www.murnis.com/culture/balinese-cockfights/ and in our book Secrets of Bali.

About 50-60 years old.

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

The post Antique Balinese Cockfighting Spur Container 1 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood, rattan, horn
Style: Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia
Size: Height 20 cm, Width 5 cm (top), 7 cm (bottom)
Order Number: MHSAC1

Balinese women wear elaborate hairstyles at Balinese ceremonies which are enhanced with combs.

This elegant comb is in the shape of a human body.

This large, split comb is sculptural and striking. The form is similar to Balinese representations of Dewi Sri, the goddess of rice, with a wide, fanned-out headdress, known as cili.

19th – early 20th century.

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

The post Antique Balinese Comb 1 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Silver(?), Wood
Style: Bali, Indonesia
Size: Height 23cm, Width 13 cm
Order Number: MHSAC2

Balinese women wear elaborate hairstyles at Balinese ceremonies which are enhanced with combs.

This large, split comb is sculptural and striking. The form is similar to Balinese representations of Dewi Sri, the goddess of rice, with a wide, fanned-out headdress, known as cili.

19th – early 20th century.

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

The post Antique Balinese Comb 2 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Ivory
Style: China
Size: Height 3.5 cm, Width 16 cm
Order Number: MHSACC1

In traditional Chinese Medicine, combing hair is an efficient way to keep healthy; it is believed this can massage nerves and stimulate blood circulation. Combs of different materials were used for different hair quality and body conditions.

​Both men and women carried a comb.

Rectangular comb with a handle, decorated with openwork lattice design with with foliate decoration.

Early – mid 20th century.

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

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Material: Brass
Style: China
Size: Height 9 cm, Width 3 cm
Order Number: MHSACC1

This Chinese moustache and beard comb which would have been used by a noble man to groom his moustache and beard. The small, oval, two-sided combs were normally suspended from the neck, or from the waist belt. There is a handle with geometric designs and small hook. Two small bands stabilise the top and bottom.

In ancient China, people were not supposed to cut their hair or shave their beards. Moustaches were very popular in the Qing dynasty (1636–1912).

Confucius (551–479 BC) taught that the human body was a gift from one’s parents and no changes should be made to it. Tattoos were taboo. Cutting one’s hair or fingernails or shaving one’s beard were not allowed. Most men, if they could, let their hair and beard grow long.

19th – early 20th century.

There are some examples in Four Centuries of Silver, Personal Adornment in the Qing Dynasty and After, Margaret Duda, Times Editions, 2002, pages 145-147.

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

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Material: Silver
Style: Miao, South China
Size: Height 6 cm, Width 10 cm
Order Number: MHSACC2

The Miao people live in southern China mostly in Guizhou province. Miao sub-groups such as the Hmong live in northern Thailand and eastern Burma. The Hmong have 2 major branches, the White Hmong and the Green Hmong.

Many migrated to Laos. By 1850 they were established in the mountains around Luang Prabang. By the end of the 19th century there were several Hmong villages in Thailand. In 1984 there were 245 villages.

During World War II the Chinese tried to stop them speaking their own language or wearing their distinctive dress, but they failed.

The Maio keep much of their wealth in silver jewelry. The minorities of South China love to ornament their hair with silver combs.

The wearing of silver jewellery among women is very important. It is a sign of femininity and wealth. Families begin saving to buy silver jewellery when a daughter is born, so that she can get married with a substantial amount of silver jewellery which belongs to her.

Large amounts of silver jewellery are worn at weddings, funerals and springtime celebrations. At New Year all the family silver is worn.

Early 20th century.

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

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Material: Brass, diamond
Style: Flores, Indonesia
Size: Height 5.5 cm, Width 11 cm
Order Number: MHSAFC1

In the 19th century most Indonesian women wore their hair tied up in a tight bun. Rich women wore decorative combs, such as this one to hold their hair in place.

The design can be traced back to Southern China and they came to be popular across much of island Southeast Asia, as far as Timor. They were worn until well into the 20th century.

There are similar examples in Gold Jewellery of the Indonesian Archipelago, Anne Richter and Bruce Carpenter, Editions Didier Millet 2011, pages 319-321.

19th – early 20th century.

Map of Flores .

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

The post Antique Flores Comb appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Bone, cotton
Style: India
Size: Height 10 cm, Width 11.5 cm
Order Number: MHSAILC1

Some of the world’s most beautiful combs were made specifically for delousing. They go back to the Ancient Egyptians. Head lice have been found in the hair of Egyptian mummies. They are older than  humans. There is a  wooden comb from Egypt’s Coptic Period (500 AD to 1000 AD in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

There is a 12th century example from Venice in the Walters Art Museum,  a 12th century example from England in the Victoria and Albert Museum, and a 15th century example from France in the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Lice combs have very fine teeth to remove lice and louse eggs. Most ancient combs are double-sided, with very fine teeth on one side for the lice and sparser teeth on the other side for cosmetic purposes. Combs are usually made of wood, bone, or ivory.

19th – early 20th century.

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

The post Antique Indian Lice Comb appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Gold alloy
Style: Kisar, Indonesia
Size: Height 3.5 cm, Diameter 8 cm
Order Number: MHSAKB1

Kisar, also known as Yotowawa, is a small island in the Southwestern Moluccas in Indonesia, 25 kilometres northeast of Timor.

During the Majapahit period (13th – 16th centuries) precious gold bowls were given as diplomatic gifts. It’s possible some were given to rulers in the eastern islands. Magnificent bowls of beaten gold were made on Kisar island, perhaps modelled on these bowls.

They were worn  on the top of the head or around the neck on a string as pectoral ornaments hung from the neck on grand ceremonial occasions. The base has been decorated to show four sea creatures, like lobsters, forming a mandala-like centre, ringed with decorative borders, that mirror the outer rim. The double ‘s’  or 8 decorations on the rim are similar to early Ming porcelain.

There is a similar bowl in The Jewelry of Southeast Asia, Ann Richter, Thames & Hudson, 2000, page 250.

19th century or early 20th century.

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

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Material: Wood, lacquer
Style: Laos
Size: Height 6 cm, Width 19 cm
Order Number: MHSALC1

20th century.

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

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Material: Wood
Style:  Lombok Indonesia
Size: Height 26 cm, Width 8.5 cm, Depth 3 cm
Order Number: MHSABCFSC3

Called kotak taji, this is a small box in which razor sharp double-bladed steel spurs (taji), about 10 centimetres long,  used for a cockfight, are kept and handed down from one generation to the next. The spur should be forged during a new moon and preferably during a violent thunderstorm.  There are lots of superstitions, many of which are contained in the old palm leaf lontar books. The spur is tied on to the cock’s leg.

There was cockfighting in China in the 6th century BC. It also took place in India, Persia and Ancient Rome and in more modern times Denmark and Spain and among royalty and aristocrats in England. It was also enjoyed in the United States, Latin America and Cuba. It’s been outlawed under cruelty against animal legislation in these countries.

Centuries ago cockfighting – and gambling – were compulsory in Indonesia – and taxed. Cockfighting has been now banned by law throughout Indonesia, although it still takes place. Bali was the last island to ban it in 1981, but 3 bouts are allowed for purification purposes during a Balinese religious ceremony.  There is no need to make more spur boxes and the art will die out. There is a large Balinese community in Lombok although the locals will also be keen.

Offerings called caru,  including part of an animal, often chickens, are placed on the ground to appease bad spirits and avoid harm. Fresh blood spit on the ground from rounds of paired  roosters during cockfighting (tajen) is within this category as it delights evil demons.

It is a favourite sport for Balinese men and gambling is a big attraction.

More information about Cockfights here: https://www.murnis.com/culture/balinese-cockfights/ and in our book Secrets of Bali.

The carving is a character from the puppet (wayang) theatre. There is a central “leaf” inside.

The carving is probably the loyal but simple-minded clown/servant Dalem,  who is paired with his brother Sandut, the intelligent clown/servant of the evil Korawas, who are always plotting the death of their cousins, the Pandawas, but never succeed, from the Mahabarata, the long Indian epic of the 9th century. The clowns tell jokes and narrate the story for the audience. They translate the Kawi language which the others speak and few people understand. They are opposed to the good clown/servants, Twalen and Merdah,  of the Pandawas. Note he is wearing a finely checked poleng sarong, which symbolises the fight between good and evil.

More information about Cockfights here: https://www.murnis.com/culture/balinese-cockfights/ and in our book Secrets of Bali.

It is in 3 parts.

About 60-70 years old.

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

The post Antique Lombok Cockfighting Spur Container appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Iron
Style: Lampung, Sumatra, Indonesia
Size: Height 9 cm, Length 35 cm, Width 7.5 cm
Order Number: MHSASB1

Filing and blackening of teeth at puberty took place in the Lampung region of South Sumatra. It demonstrated a marriageable age. These besihung collected soot from burned twigs. They are made from forged iron in the shape of a water buffalo, which is also similar to a symmetrical sailing ship. If the besihung is symmetrical, it is a female container and if it is asymmetrical it is a male container.

Blackening teeth stopped at the beginning of the 20th century. It was accompanied by ritual feasting and was associated with the supernatural. The metal container was pointed to the river and was moved downstream during the ceremony.

The ship shape is similar to the ship motifs on Sumatran textiles called tampan and pelapai. These are ceremonial cloths used during rites of passage. The ships symbolise the transitional aspect of the ceremony.

19th – early 20th century

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

The post Antique Sumatran Besihung 1 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Iron
Style: Lampung, Sumatra, Indonesia
Size: Height 9 cm, Length 21.5 cm, Width 3 cm
Order Number: MHSASB2

Filing and blackening of teeth at puberty took place in the Lampung region of South Sumatra. It demonstrated a marriageable age. These besihung collected soot from burned twigs. They are made from forged iron in the shape of a water buffalo, which is also similar to a symmetrical sailing ship. If the besihung is symmetrical, it is a female container and if it is asymmetrical it is a male container.

Blackening teeth stopped at the beginning of the 20th century. It was accompanied by ritual feasting and was associated with the supernatural. The metal container was pointed to the river and was moved downstream during the ceremony.

The ship shape is similar to the ship motifs on Sumatran textiles called tampan and pelapai. These are ceremonial cloths used during rites of passage. The ships symbolise the transitional aspect of the ceremony.

19th – early 20th century

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

The post Antique Sumatran Besihung 2 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Brass, buffalo horn
Style: Sumatra, Indonesia
Size: Height 6 cm, Width 11.5 cm
Order Number: MHSASC1

In the 19th century most Indonesian women wore their hair tied up in a tight bun. Rich women wore decorative combs, such as this one to hold their hair in place.

The design can be traced back to Southern China and they came to be popular across much of island Southeast Asia, as far as Timor. They were worn until well into the 20th century.

There are similar examples in Gold Jewellery of the Indonesian Archipelago, Anne Richter and Bruce Carpenter, Editions Didier Millet 2011, pages 319-321.

19th – early 20th century.

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

The post Antique Sumatran Comb appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Ivory
Style: Thailand
Size: Height 1.75 cm, Width 7 cm
Order Number: MHSATC1

Mid  20th century.

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

The post Antique Thailand Comb appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Silver, buffalo horn
Style: West Timor, Indonesia
Size: Height 7.5 cm, Width 14.5 cm
Order Number: MHSATC1

Timor is best known for its silver and other jewelry. The Timorese have been using metal for a least 2,000 years but silver arrived late and rapidly replaced gold. Funnily enough silver is not native to Timor. The Europeans brought a large number of silver coins, starting with Spanish pieces of eight in the 16th century. Silver Dutch and Portuguese coins were melted down and made into jewelry.

Ornamental comb. The top is embellished with dome shaped motifs.

There is a similar one in Ethnic Jewellery from Indonesia, Continuity and Evolution, Bruce Carpenter, Editions Didier Millet 2011, page 274.

19th – early 20th century.

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

The post Antique Timor Comb 1 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Silver, buffalo horn
Style: West Timor, Indonesia
Size: Height 7 cm, Width 14.5 cm
Order Number: MHSATC2

Timor is best known for its silver and other jewelry. The Timorese have been using metal for a least 2,000 years but silver arrived late and rapidly replaced gold. Funnily enough silver is not native to Timor. The Europeans brought a large number of silver coins, starting with Spanish pieces of eight in the 16th century. Silver Dutch and Portuguese coins were melted down and made into jewelry.

Ornamental comb. The top is embellished with dome shaped motifs.

There is a similar one in Ethnic Jewellery from Indonesia, Continuity and Evolution, Bruce Carpenter, Editions Didier Millet 2011, page 274.

19th – early 20th century.

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

The post Antique Timor Comb 2 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.