Antique Magical Substances Container - Batak, Sumatra - Early 20th C.

Description

Antique Magical Substances Container - Batak, Sumatra - Early 20th C.
Mesurements
: cm 20,5 x 3,5 //  8" x 1.4"
Description
: Old container made of wood and baboo, used by Batak priests to conservate magical substances.
Prior to the widespread adoption of Christianity in the early twentieth century, magic formed an important element in Batak religious practice. Religious specialists, known as "datu," performed both benign and malevolent magic using a variety of ritual paraphernalia. The most sacred and powerful of the datu's objects was the potion container, or "guri guri." These containers held "puk puk," a powerful substance made from a ritually executed human victim. Puk puk, it was believed, could force the victim's spirit to do the datu's bidding.
Many stoppers, such as this example, depict human figures riding horselike creatures called "singa." Combining aspects of horses, snakes, lions, and other animals, singa are mythical creatures associated with fertility and supernatural protection.
Material: wood, bamboo
Estimated age
: early 20th Century
Provenience
: Indonesian private collection.
Place of origin
: Toba lake, Sumatra.
Shipping:
The item will be safetly packaged and shipped from Bali with  tracking by registered mail - time of delivery around 2-3 weeks