fjt5: Shaman's Staff.

Batak. Sumatra Island, Indonesia..
Hardwood. H: 64" (162.6 cm).
Height measured from the tip of the metal point at the bottom to the top of the actual wood staff.
There is about another inch or two of fiber that rises above the top of the wood staff.

The carving on the staff is found only on the top part above the handle. The carving above the handle is subdivided into two main segments.
The top segment features a standing figure (male?) with an aggressive expression. There is an asymmetrical shaped head dress, shown on the back of the head
and an unusual object carved on the back that appears to be a basket shape. The main standing figure is holding a round bowl-like object,
resting on the head of a creature that could be a snake, as it has a long tail, without visible arms or legs, that is going down the back of the staff.
This figure is riding on the back of that creature. The main figure is also standing on the head of two female figures, one under each foot, seen on the sides of the staff.
There is a similar "male" figure, on the front, under the head of the snake creature. that are likely all "slave" figures. The eyes of the main figure
are added with what appears to be metal pieces or perhaps pieces of gutta percha. The second segment is divided into two sub-segments.
The top part shows another mysterious creature, with the head on the front of the staff, the body contorted backwards to the back of the staff,
with the legs twisted backwards again, and two little arms (likely from the creature) holding its own legs. Below that figure is another standing figure,
that appears to be female and pregnant. She is sitting on the head of another animal, seen on the back of the staff. there does not appear to be a body for this figure,
but perhaps the uncarved bottom section represents a stylized serpent like body?

For price or additional information, please email your request, with inventory number and title description, to: majtribal@gmail.com.

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