Sheath

49-31-37B

From: Java (uncertain) | Bali (uncertain)

Curatorial Section: Oceanian

View All (10) Object Images

Object Number 49-31-37B
Current Location Collections Storage
Culture Javanese (uncertain) | Balinese
Provenience Java (uncertain) | Bali (uncertain)
Section Oceanian
Materials Wood | Pigment
Description

Painted wooden sheath. Kidney-shaped top (wrangka) with painted scenes on both sides. On one side, four armed monsters, each with a snake wrapped around his neck, the first with a slender spear (?), the second with a large black sword or club. On the other side, four human defenders (?), two armed with slender spears, one with a black club like a baseball bat. On this side of sheath only, a raised curve on the short side of the wrangka, and a raised midrib on the body of the sheath (gandar). Both sides of gandar painted with a lattice of dark blue and pale green criss-crossed lines enclosing diamond-shaped spaces within which are repeated small orange fan-like motifs. Imagery is Javanese in style: a battle scene from the Mahabarata?

Length 50.5 cm
Width 18.5 cm
Credit Line Purchased from Mrs. Anton S. Lau, 1949
Other Number 29-J-78 - Other Number

Report problems and issues to digitalmedia@pennmuseum.org.