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Architectural ornament

late 19th–early 20th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 351
Traditionally, Batak communal houses were richly decorated with geometric designs and naturalistic figures brightly painted in red, white, and black. The main decorative elements on the houses were large, carved animal heads incised with complex curvilinear motifs.

The architectural ornaments on the sides of the house consisted predominantly of horses' heads such as this one. These highly ornate pieces were not only decorative but also served as supernatural guardians that ensured the safety and security of the structure's inhabitants. In the Toba Batak region, horses were often consecrated to the three principal deities, and were believed to have the ability to transport individuals to the realm of the ancestors. They were also symbols of high status, since only the elite could afford to own them.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Architectural ornament
  • Artist: Toba Batak artist
  • Date: late 19th–early 20th century
  • Geography: Indonesia, Sumatra
  • Culture: Toba Batak peoples
  • Medium: Wood, paint
  • Dimensions: H. (incl. staple) 14 1/2 × W. 7 × D. 2 5/8 in. (36.8 × 17.8 × 6.7 cm)
  • Classification: Wood-Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Gift of Fred and Rita Richman, 1988
  • Object Number: 1988.143.68
  • Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing

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