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: Rattan
Style:  Lampung, Sumatra, Indonesia
Size: Length 32 cm, Width 30 cm
Order Number: MHSASM1

Rattan is a tropical climbing palm, using long thorns to climb up other jungle plants, and reaching lengths of over 150 metres (490 feet) but only a few centimetres thick. It is very strong.

Lampit are sacred heirlooms in Lampung and are stored in the umbrella-shaped ancestral temples. Lampit were woven by men and tampan were woven by women and paired as ritual objects symbolising male and female elements in the universe.

Lampit were regarded as more prestigious than the smaller tampan and are the heirlooms of nobles. The designs were similar.

Together they were an appropriate seat for the most powerful nobles at gatherings of local rulers or for an aristocratic bride at a wedding ceremony.

About 70-80 years.

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

The post Antique Sumatran Mat (Lampit) 1 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Palm Leaf, cotton
Style:  Lampung, Sumatra, Indonesia
Size: Length 44 cm, Width 42 cm
Order Number: MHSASM2

Lampit are sacred heirlooms in Lampung and are stored in the umbrella-shaped ancestral temples. Lampit were woven by men and tampan were woven by women and paired as ritual objects symbolising male and female elements in the universe.

Lampit were regarded as more prestigious than the smaller tampan and are the heirlooms of nobles. The designs were similar.

Together they were an appropriate seat for the most powerful nobles at gatherings of local rulers or for an aristocratic bride at a wedding ceremony.

About 60-70 years.

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

The post Antique Sumatran Mat (Lampit) 2 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Palm Leaf, cotton
Style:  Lampung, Sumatra, Indonesia
Size: Length 45 cm, Width 44 cm
Order Number: MHSASM3

Lampit are sacred heirlooms in Lampung and are stored in the umbrella-shaped ancestral temples. Lampit were woven by men and tampan were woven by women and paired as ritual objects symbolising male and female elements in the universe.

Lampit were regarded as more prestigious than the smaller tampan and are the heirlooms of nobles. The designs were similar.

Together they were an appropriate seat for the most powerful nobles at gatherings of local rulers or for an aristocratic bride at a wedding ceremony.

About 60-70 years.

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

The post Antique Sumatran Mat (Lampit) 3 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Palm Leaf, cotton
Style:  Lampung, Sumatra, Indonesia
Size: Length 47 cm, Width 46 cm
Order Number: MHSASM4

Lampit are sacred heirlooms in Lampung and are stored in the umbrella-shaped ancestral temples. Lampit were woven by men and tampan were woven by women and paired as ritual objects symbolising male and female elements in the universe.

Lampit were regarded as more prestigious than the smaller tampan and are the heirlooms of nobles. The designs were similar.

Together they were an appropriate seat for the most powerful nobles at gatherings of local rulers or for an aristocratic bride at a wedding ceremony.

About 60-70 years.

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

The post Antique Sumatran Mat (Lampit) 4 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Palm Leaf, cotton
Style:  Lampung, Sumatra, Indonesia
Size: Length 47 cm, Width 47 cm
Order Number: MHSASM5

Lampit are sacred heirlooms in Lampung and are stored in the umbrella-shaped ancestral temples. Lampit were woven by men and tampan were woven by women and paired as ritual objects symbolising male and female elements in the universe.

Lampit were regarded as more prestigious than the smaller tampan and are the heirlooms of nobles. The designs were similar.

Together they were an appropriate seat for the most powerful nobles at gatherings of local rulers or for an aristocratic bride at a wedding ceremony.

About 60-70 years.

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

The post Antique Sumatran Mat (Lampit) 5 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: Wood, iron blade
Style: Sumatra, Indonesia
Size: Handle: Width 12 cm (bottom)
Order Number: MHSSRC5

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 5 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood, iron blade
Style: Sumatra, Indonesia
Size: Handle: Width 4.5 cm (bottom)
Order Number: MHSSRC6

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 6 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood, iron blade
Style: Sumatra, Indonesia
Size: Handle: Width 6.5 cm (bottom)
Order Number: MHSSRC7

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 7 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood, iron blade
Style: Sumatra, Indonesia
Size: Handle: Width 9 cm (bottom)
Order Number: MHSSRC8

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 8 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Terracotta
Style: Sumatra. Indonesia
Size: Height 27 cm, Diameter 22 cm (middle)
Order Number: MHSASWJ2

This drinking water vessel or kendi was made in south Sumatra, probably in Lampung.

It is made of terracotta. Such items were used locally or exported to other countries in Southeast Asia, frequently to Malaysia. It was used to hold drinking water.

It has a flared foot and a round, ribbed body in the shape of a gourd called asam gelugur (Garcinia atroviridis), a perennial tropical fruit tree.

The two spouts are linked by a triangular bridge that serves as a handle.

Kendi and its predecessor, the kundika, are found in sculptures and paintings as an attribute in a hand of the Hindu gods Brahma and Shiva, Maitreya the future Buddha and the compassionate Avalokitesvara (in Mahayana Buddhism).

During a king’s coronation ceremony he used it to pour holy water, which had been collected from sacred rivers and blessed by the gods, over himself, as a symbol of purification.

Kendi, with their two openings, a mouth and a spout on the shoulder, and no handle, are very highly valued in Southeast Asia. They have a round body, tall neck  and a flat base. The two openings means you can both pour and drink from it. The kendi is filled from the mouth and the liquid poured out from the spout. You hold the kendi above your head, so that the water pours down in an arc into your mouth,  your lips never touching the spout. 

In Java kendis have been known since Hindu-Buddhist times, 2,000 years ago, when monks brought such vessels from India for use in the temples. It is seen carved in relief on the walls of Borobudur, the 9th century Mahayana Buddhist temple in central Java. The Buddha sits cross-legged with a kundika on his left side. There is also a carved one in the Bayon temple, Angkor, Cambodia, late 12th – early 13th century.

In the 12th and 13th centuries Chinese potters began to make them in stoneware for export to Southeast Asia. Many have been found in the Philippines and Indonesia. The shape has not changed much over the last 1,000 years.

Excavations at Trowulan in Java, the centre of the powerful Majapahit Kingdom (1293 – 1520), show a locally produced kendi. Also at the same site is the forerunner of the  mammary spout of the 16th century kendi in the shape of the female breast symbolising fertility.

The Thais and Vietnamese started exporting them as China lessened. Many Thai and Vietnamese examples have been excavated from 15th and 16th century burial sites in the Philippines and Indonesia.

In Indonesia they were family heirlooms passed down from generation to generation and sometimes went to the grave with their owner. In South Sumatra they are placed in the rafters of a new house with offerings of flowers and fruit to encourage the spirits to bring good luck.

The unglazed version could be made economically from local materials, meeting the daily needs of ordinary people. They have good cooling properties and can easily be carried from village to village or by boat. Unglazed kendi are semi-porous so water can seep through the porous earthenware sides and evaporate, cooling the temperature of the water inside.

Glazed pottery was not made much in Southeast Asia because it was easily imported from southern China.

The terracotta can crumble because it is fired at low temperatures, yet the condition of this one is very good. It has a good patina consistent with its age.

There are similar, but much less elaborate, one in Arts and Crafts of Indonesia, Anne Richter, Thames and Hudson 1993, page 50.

Late 19th – early 20th century.

Map of Lampung, Sumatra.

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

The post Antique Sumatran Water Jar (Kendi) 2 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.