GENERAL DESCRIPTION
In the depiction of a human body on this knife hilt, an extraordinarily large face is accompanied by disproportionally small arms and legs, which arch toward the back. This indicates that a much-feared priest or magician (datu) is represented. From the Batak perspective, the head should be oversized because it is the most important part of the body.
The datu wears a headdress that represents the stylized head and beak of a hornbill. The image symbolizes the datu’s ability to transform himself into a hornbill, a bird the Batak associated with visionary activity and journeys to the land of the dead.
Adapted from
Roslyn A. Walker, Label text, 2013.
Artist/designers
Cultures
Geography
Process/materials
Historical periods
Individuals
Subject terms
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
n.d.: Steven G. Alpert, Dallas, Texas
1994: Dallas Museum of Art, purchased from above
Notes:
The main source for this provenance is the copy of the Object Screen dated October 9, 1994 in the Collections Records object file.
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
IMAGE ASSETS
WEB RESOURCES
ARCHIVAL RESOURCES
FUN FACTS
TEACHING IDEAS
RULES
apply to objects where number equals 1994.252
Category
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General Description
In the depiction of a human body on this knife hilt, an extraordinarily large face is accompanied by disproportionally small arms and legs, which arch toward the back. This indicates that a much-feared priest or magician (datu) is represented. From the Batak perspective, the head should be oversized because it is the most important part of the body.
The datu wears a headdress that represents the stylized head and beak of a hornbill. The image symbolizes the datu’s ability to transform himself into a hornbill, a bird the Batak associated with visionary activity and journeys to the land of the dead.
Adapted 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
n.d.: Steven G. Alpert, Dallas, Texas
1994: Dallas Museum of Art, purchased from above
Notes:
The main source for this provenance is the copy of the Object Screen dated October 9, 1994 in the Collections Records object file.
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
rules
Apply To
Objects
number
Equals
1994.252
source file
object_notes_2_c-0327.xml.nores