Batak Seahorse Medicine Box With Lid

Description

The naga morsarang (medicine box) is a container to store ritual potions. Use and create from Batak people of North Sumatra, Indonesia. Among the Batak people of Sumatra, the datu (ritual specialist), required a variety of containers made of different materials to hold his supernaturally mixtures and potions. The naga morsarang is extensively decorated with complex patterns.

The outer surface is incised thoroughly with complex designs. The pointed end of the horn is carved into the shape of a seated figure of a man, or sometimes more. The opening of the horn is plugged with a wooden stopper. The stopper is always shaped into a figure of the singa, a Naga-like underground figures. Many additional figures are sometimes carved as mounting the singa e.g. the lizard Boraspati ni Tano, a human figure, or several human figures.

These human figures may represent the succession of ritual masters who preceded the datu who owned the container. It is also possible that the figures are related to mythical characters portrayed on other ritual implements.

Hand cast and create out of bronze brass mix statue by the lost wax method.

Dimensions: 4″ x 10″ x 8″