2008.64 Man's symbolic pendant (mendaka)

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GENERAL DESCRIPTION  
The pendant called mendaka is a symbol of rank, prestige, and power. Its cleft-oval shape implies that is was used as an ear ornament. The Sundanese interpret the organic form as a winged snake-dragon or serpent. The mendaka is found only in West Sumba. A raja once told of receiving this pendant as a gift from his wife’s father before their marriage, as an incentive to marry her.

Excerpt from
Roslyn A. Walker, Label text, 2013.
NOTES
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PROVENANCE 
Until 2008: Nasher Collection, Dallas, Texas

2008: Dallas Museum of Art, gift of the Nasher Foundation in honor of Patsy R. and Raymond D. Nasher

Notes:
The main source for this provenance is the copy of the Deed of Gift in the Collections Records object file (2008.52-73).
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General Description
 
The pendant called mendaka is a symbol of rank, prestige, and power. Its cleft-oval shape implies that is was used as an ear ornament. The Sundanese interpret the organic form as a winged snake-dragon or serpent. The mendaka is found only in West Sumba. A raja once told of receiving this pendant as a gift from his wife’s father before their marriage, as an incentive to marry her.

Excerpt from
Roslyn A. Walker, Label text, 2013.
Fun Facts
Archival Resources
Web Resources
 
Notes
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Geography 
Process/materials
Historical periods
Individuals
Subject terms
RELATED OBJECTS 
PROVENANCE 
Until 2008: Nasher Collection, Dallas, Texas

2008: Dallas Museum of Art, gift of the Nasher Foundation in honor of Patsy R. and Raymond D. Nasher

Notes:
The main source for this provenance is the copy of the Deed of Gift in the Collections Records object file (2008.52-73).
AUDIO ASSETS 
VIDEO ASSETS
rules
Apply To
Objects
number
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2008.64
tags
#draft
#completed
%copyedited_Gail
%Archived
men: AAT: 300025928
@Bilal-Gore
pendants (jewelry): AAT: 300046002
gold (metal): AAT: 300011021
prestige: AAT: 300343604
serpents (snakes/Serpentes suborder): AAT: 300250870
*Arts of the Pacific Islands
rank (social status): AAT: 300250915
symbols of office or status: AAT: 300212147
Sumba (Indonesia): TGN: 7580858
source file
object_notes_2_c-0224.xml.nores