Antique Sumbanese Mamuli Necklace - Ceremonial Fertility Pendant, Tribal Silver - Japanese coll.

Antique sumba necklace mamuli silver metal
Antique heirloom sumba necklace mamuli silver jewelry indonesiaetal
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Antique sumba necklace mamuli silver metal
Antique heirloom sumba necklace mamuli silver jewelry indonesiaetal
PXL_20241015_210814689.jpg
PXL_20241015_210929377.jpg
PXL_20241015_211138552.jpg
PXL_20241015_211318427.jpg

Antique Sumbanese Mamuli Necklace - Ceremonial Fertility Pendant, Tribal Silver - Japanese coll.

$0.00

MEASUREMENTS: 
Necklace: (diameter)  29,9 // 76 cm   
Mamuli cm 7 x 6.5 x 1.8   //  2.75" x 2.5" x 0.7"

This necklace features a Mamuli pendant, a traditional Sumbanese ornament made from metal, often silver or gold. The Mamuli's shape is distinct, symbolizing female fertility and the giver of life. There are still 2 old tags from the previous owner

 Such pieces are rare and highly regarded not just for their artistic craftsmanship but also for their symbolic and spiritual significance

PROVENANCE: private German collection, private Japanese collection.

In terms of references, you can find similar items at institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Dallas Museum of Art, and the Musée du Quai Branly in Paris, where these Sumbanese artifacts are displayed as part of their Southeast Asian collections.

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Mamuli are ornate metal ornaments crafted by the Sumba people of Sumba, Indonesia. These pieces are particularly important in the megalithic societies of western Sumba, such as the Anakalang society. The distinctive shape of Mamuli symbolizes the female genitalia, representing fertility and the role of women as life-givers. Mamuli are highly valued as heirloom pieces, playing a significant role in ritualistic exchanges during important ceremonies. Mamuli can either be simple (lobu) or decorated (karagat). The lobu mamuli typically have a diamond-shaped body with a concave center, featuring a round hole and vertical slit symbolizing female sexuality and reproductive power. In contrast, the more ornate karagat mamuli, also referred to as ma pawisi ("those with feet"), have additional finials at the base of the diamond shape, often giving them an omega-like appearance. These finials are typically adorned with figures such as roosters, cockatoos, horsemen, buffalo, goats, skull trees, or warriors, representing male power and greatness. Hence, the karagat mamuli are viewed as masculine, while the lobu mamuli are considered feminine. During the colonial period, more elaborate, Baroque-inspired Mamuli were created, featuring complex battle scenes and sometimes movable parts.