Featured Batak Carving

The Batak on Samosir, Indonesia are famous for their carving ability, usually tribal images - intricate staffs, panels showing village life, musicsl instruments, masks. I don't own many, but I'll post this one just because I like it so much and have never seen another like it. I'm definitely no expert, but it appears to be from 30 or more years ago, judging from the fading and style of dress. I think of this statue as folk art really, and comical too. The Batak used to head hunt. And were occasional canibals. This one appears to be wearing bad drag. Anybody been to the Folk Art Museum in NYC? That's what I immediately thought of when I bought this.

 

Yes, I would class it as folk art. Looks like her skirt is turning into a bird.

It reminds me a bit of some 1950s Madurese folk carved keris hilts I have. One of them is a dog, but the Madurese being staunch Muslims don't know what a dog looks like. It looks like a horse with some dog-like features.

 

Being biased that way, I thought maybe she was standing on a tortoise & was turning into one.

 

And why not?

 

Because: Turtles!

Almost looks like she's meant to be picked up by her skirt and elbow. Or she's got a snake secreted in that skirt.

I love it <3

 

Maybe she's trying to avoid a Marilyn Monroe moment.

 

Venus Urania (Celestial Venus):

 

That is such a strange way she's holding her skirt with her hand.

From the back it almost looks like a hand reaching up from under the skirt to grab her hand.

Either that, or it's an elephant trunk sticking out.
.

 

And that face! How did I miss that face!?! She looks madder than a wet hen.

Maybe cause she has an elephant under her skirt?

 

Think what that side of her dress would look like if she let the hem drop. Love the Minnie Mouse shoes.

 

Maybe she voted for Hillary.

 

Haa, I didn't even think of that! Too funny.

 

Thanks all! I think she's dressed for church.