Sumbese, saddle

Sumbese
saddle

Indonesia, early 20th century
carved wood
19 h × 9.5 w × 9 d in (48 × 24 × 23 cm)

The island of Sumba is known for its wild horses and traditional ceremonies from horseback. This type of saddle is associated with the annual Pasola festival tournament, held each year in February or March at the start of the rice-planting season. People journey from all over the island, and now the world, to witness the spear-throwing skills of men on horseback. While contemporary spears are blunted, bloodletting is central to this tournament. It is believed that blood from the participants promote fertility and prosperity for the coming crop.

Sold with stand.

Provenance: James Willis, San Francisco | Allan Stone Collection, New York | Rago, Tribal: Art from the Collection of Allan Stone and Other Owners, 19 October 2018, Lot 212 | The Mar Silver Collection
Condition Report: Good overall condition with chips, scratches, and minor losses throughout. Some age cracks visible throughout.