Male figure and water buffalo head from a house façade
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
This hardwood carving is one of a pair that came from the façade of an aristocratic ancestor house (tongkonan) in Osango, Mamasa Toraja. It was positioned on the left-hand corner post below the gable triangle.
Funerary Figure for an Aristocratic Woman
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Tau-tau is the name given to the funeral effigy, smaller than life-size, that is made to commemorate the deceased when a very high-ranking funeral is held, accompanied by the sacrifice of many water buffalo.
Sacred textile (mawa') with fish pond and leafy plants
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
This exceptionally beautiful mawa’ is of local Toraja manufacture, stamped and painted on a long cotton cloth.
Door of a tomb (tutu’ liang) with human figure
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Sa’dan Toraja are renowned for their family tomb chambers (liang), cut into the living rock and sealed with an almost square wooden door.
Man's Necklace (kalabubu)
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Ono Niha are known for two different kinds of necklaces, which are somewhat structurally alike: both types have a largely invisible inner wire core consisting of iron, brass, bronze, or even gold wires. The most well known are the so-called headhunter’s necklaces, kalabubu, typically embellished with pieces of polished coconut shell strung over the wire core.
A Paramount Chief's Emblem
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
In addition to a warrior's sword, shield, blow pipe or javelin, a complement of armor often included a heavy skin jacket or a thick quilted bodkin and a decorated helmet.
Ceremonial banner cloth (palepai)
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The use of long horizontal cloths (palepai) was the prerogative of the eldest representatives of the aristocratic penyimbang rank, the head of a marga, and leaders of a patrilineal clan (
Pair of mythical aso
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
An aso (dragon-dog) combines the traits of a powerful dragon with the awareness, speed, and fierce loyalty of a dog.
Female protective figure (pagar)
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
This female protective figure was most likely created by the same expert woodcarver who—according to its former owner—made the male figure.
Male protective figure (pagar)
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
This protective figure is one of a pair; the Dallas Museum of Art also owns the female counterpart to this male figure. A third figure is said to have originally accompanied this pair, which the previous owner could neither see nor buy.