Unknown Indonesian
Crown

CultureMoluccas peoples
Titles
  • Crown
Date16th–17th century
PlaceIndonesia
MediumHammered and repoussé gold
Dimensions13 1/4 × 14 1/2 × 3/4 in. (33.7 × 36.8 × 1.9 cm)
Credit LineMuseum purchase funded by the Brown Foundation Accessions Endowment Fund
Object number2006.538
Current Location
The Caroline Wiess Law Building
208M Mullins Gallery
On view

Explore Further

Description

This crown symbolizes the fertility and longevity of a clan. The ancestor face represents esteem for the clan founder; the roosters, male status; and the Tree of Life, fertility and ancestral lineage.


 The Moluccas Islands are located in eastern Indonesia. The islands' many cultures used gold objects as signs of social status, and to celebrate new family alliances at marriages. Gold adornments, embodying the spirits of ancestors, help guarantee the survival of family lineages. This elegant crown was made to be worn by a female member of local royalty on important ritual occasions. Gold dangles attached with wire flash upon movement. The roosters represent male elements, and their feathers rise toward the face of an ancestor crowned with the Tree of Life, a symbol of community continuity.


 


Provenance[Frank Wiggers, Insulinde Indonesian Arts, Forest Knolls, California, before 2006]; purchased by MFAH, 2006.

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.

Wutala, Ancestral Crown
Unknown Indonesian
15th–17th century
Gold
2004.2311
Necklace
Unknown Indonesian
17th–19th century
Gold
2004.2305
Wutala, Ancestral Crown
Unknown Indonesian
17th–18th century
Gold
2004.2308
Pendant with Cockatoos
Unknown Indonesian
c. 19th century
Hammered gold with granulation and filigree
2006.531
Crown
Unknown Indonesian
19th century
Cast and soldered gold
2004.2285
Pectoral
Unknown Indonesian
18th–19th century
Gold
2006.540
Crown
Unknown Indonesian
1735–1790
Hammered and repousse gold
2004.2281.A-.D
Pendant with Cockatoos Riding Deer
Unknown Indonesian
c. 19th century
Cast and hammered gold
2006.544
Ceremonial Pectoral Disk (Karse)
Unknown Indonesian
early 19th century
Gold
2004.2317
Crown
Unknown Indonesian
c. 19th century
Hammered and repoussé gold
2006.541
Chief's Pectoral Disk (Tabilu)
Unknown Indonesian
18th–19th century
Gold
2004.2289
Pair of Ear Ornaments
Unknown Indonesian
c. 18th century or earlier
Gold with granulation and filigree
2006.543.1,.2