Bracelets of this type were worn by aristocratic bridegrooms, by men of high status during the funerals of their fathers, and as a kind of amulet by men who wanted to improve the quality of their dreams.

Distinctive double-spiral ornaments were worn as earrings or as part of a ceremonial headdress. Because of their great weight, solid examples such as these were usually wrapped with a cloth headdress.

These small male and female figures are called pinetau or tau tau, which means "little person." This is the same name that is given to the funerary figures of the Toraja area.

Three squatting figures with their elbows posed above their knees are carved in relief on this architectural panel. Judging by its scale and tapered shape, it was most likely the central panel from a small mausoleum or shrine house.

The central pendant on this necklace resembles the head of a water buffalo, an age-old symbol of wealth and high social rank among the Batak. The delicate surface decoration on the central pendant represents Islamic influence on Batak art and culture.

The tora-tora, a symbol of masculinity, fierceness, and invulnerability, is usually worn by war leaders.

Toraja noble houses are imposing buildings distinguished by a roof that sweeps upward at each end and by their densely carved and painted façades.

This massive gold bracelet is a particularly finely worked example of a Toraja heirloom ornament called komba lola'. Komba means "bracelet"; the name lola'  is also applied to larger examples of this type of ornament, made for display at rituals rather than to be worn.