Chastity Plaque for a Young Woman

anonymous, c. 1300 - c. 1500

Depicted on this lightweight repoussé plaque (hammered from the back) is a young woman, her arms modestly crossed at her chest. The swirling forms around her suggest clouds, rocks, water, or foliage. The function of this plaque was undoubtedly decorative and symbolic. It was probably worn by a young girl over a skirt or a sarong at events related to puberty, engagement, or marriage.

  • Artwork typecodpiece
  • Object numberAK-MAK-1294
  • Dimensionswidth 10 cm x height 8 cm x depth 1 cm x weight 8.3 g
  • Physical characteristicsgold

Identification

  • Title(s)

    • Woman's Pubic Plate
    • Chastity Plaque for a Young Woman

  • Object type

  • Object number

    AK-MAK-1294

  • Description

    Schaamplaat, versierd met voorstelling van zittende vrouwenfiguur in grot tussen stenen en planten in goud repoussé.

Creation

  • Creation

    goldsmith: anonymous, Indonesia

  • Dating

    c. 1300 - c. 1500

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  • School / Style

Material and technique

  • Physical description

    gold

  • Dimensions

    width 10 cm x height 8 cm x depth 1 cm x weight 8.3 g

Acquisition and rights

  • Credit line

    On loan from the Royal Asian Art Society in The Netherlands (purchase Jaap Polak, 1977)

  • Copyright

    Public domain

  • Provenance

    …; from the dealer Jaap Polak, through the mediation of Prof Dr Amalia Maartje Elisabeth Draak (1907-1995), Amsterdam, to the Vereniging van Vrienden der Aziatische Kunst, 1977;{Note RMA.} from whom on loan to the museum, 1977

Documentation

    • The Berlin Hermit and its Lost Provenance, uit: Indo-asiatische Zeitschrift : Mitteilungen der Gesellschaft für indo-asiatische Kunst, 15, 2011, pagina 10-30 - p. 15-17
    • P. Lunsingh Scheurleer, An Introduction into Majapahit Ornamentation, uit: Arts of Asia, 30, 2000, 6, pagina 85-96 - p. 92-94
    • J. Polak, A Unique Gold Modesty Plate from the Majapahit Period, uit: Arts of Asia, 30, 2000, 6, pagina 97-102
    • W.F. Stutterheim, Schaamplaten in de Hindoe-Javaansche kunst, uit: Tijdschrift voor de Indische Taal-, Land- en Volkenkunde uitgegeven door het Bataafsch Genootschap van Kunsten en Wetenschappen, 66, 1926, pagina 671-674

Persistent URL

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