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Unika borneo specializes in museum quality borneo dayak arts, indonesian arts, tribal native arts, artifacts, antiques, craft and unique collectables. Our collection has been build over 25 years of experience. Our collection consists of pieces from around south east asia especially in borneo, kalimantan, sulawesi, java, sumatera, nias, sumba, timor, bali, flores, iran jaya, papua new guinea and maluku.
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| Indonesian | Jewellery & ornament |
This silver mamuli comes from the island of Sumba in eastern Indonesia. In Sumbanese culture, duality is an important principle: together, "male" and "female" form an entity. Metals are considered male, while textiles represent the female principle.
In the ritual exchanges of gifts accompanying marriages, diverse metal objects are exchanged for textiles. Mamulis are the most important metal items in this context. They are given in pairs: a mamuli mapawisi ("mamuli with feet") and a mamuli makamaluku ("naked mamuli") at any one time. The mamuli mapawisi is considered male; its flaring bases are embellished with diverse decorations – in this case with buffalo. The mamuli makamaluku, on the other hand, is undecorated and regarded as female.
Mamulis are believed to have magical powers. This is why they are mostly kept out of sight and only produced during ceremonial occasions. They are considered part of the family treasure and are passed down from generation to generation. The transfer usually takes place at the son's marriages.
circa 1980s
silver
International e-packet availeble for this item up to 2 KG for USD 20 woarldwide . Please enquire for e-packet before purchase.
Price : 225.00 USD
