Head of a deity

anonymous, anonymous [rejected attribution], c. 1425 - c. 1475

This mysterious head probably comes from either Candi Sukuh or Candi Cetoh – two temples located high in the mountains between Central and East Java. The asymmetrical headgear is decorated with flowers or stars, while the face has the features of a warrior. The identity of the male figure is unknown; he may have played a role in a warrior cult or perhaps was associated with astrology

  • Artwork typesculpture, hoofd
  • Object numberAK-MAK-1295
  • Dimensionsheight 40 cm x width 40 cm x depth 35 cm
  • Physical characteristicsvolcanic stone (andesite)

Identification

  • Title(s)

    • Head of a deity (former title)
    • Head of a deity
    • Head of an Unknown Male (former title)

  • Object type

  • Object number

    AK-MAK-1295

  • Description

    Fragment (hoofd) van Sukuh.

Creation

  • Creation

    • anonymous, Java
    • anonymous, Indonesia [rejected attribution]

  • Dating

    c. 1425 - c. 1475

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  • School / Style

Material and technique

  • Physical description

    volcanic stone (andesite)

  • Dimensions

    height 40 cm x width 40 cm x depth 35 cm

Acquisition and rights

  • Credit line

    On loan from the Royal Asian Art Society in The Netherlands (purchase Vereeniging tot Beoefening van Overijsselsch Regt en Geschiedenis, 1977)

  • Copyright

    Public domain

  • Provenance

    …; on loan from the Vereeniging tot beoefening van Overijsselsch Regt en Geschiedenis to the Vereniging van Vrienden der Aziatische Kunst, 1936;{Note RMA.} from the Vereeniging tot beoefening van Overijsselsch Regt en Geschiedenis, Zwolle, to the Vereniging van Vrienden der Aziatische Kunst, 1977;{Note RMA.} from whom on loan to the museum, 1977

Documentation

    • T.P. Galestin, De kop van Sukuh, uit: Bulletin van de Vereeniging van Vrienden der Aziatische Kunst, 33, 1951, pagina 81-88
    • N.J. Krom, 'Javaansche oudheden...', Nederlands Indie Oud en Nieuw II (febr. 1918) nr. 10, pp. 369-379, afb. 12.
    • J. Fontein, 'Piecing together the fragments of the past. The Retrieval and Reconstruction of Indonesian Sculture', Aziatische Kunst 26 (1996), nr. 4, p. 2-24.

Persistent URL

Questions?

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  • Head of a deity
  • Head of a deity
  • Head of a deity
  • Head of a deity