A ritual dance shield with Arabic inscriptions, Indonesia, Madura, circa 1900
Auction Closed
April 30, 03:48 PM GMT
Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
the wood body of domed circular form, carved and painted in red and black and heightened with gold leaf, with a central calligraphic roundel encircled by two trident-spoked bands, surrounded by four lobed cartouches with inscriptions, narrow scroll and rosette border
63cm. diam.
Roberto Gamba, Italy
Perry Kesner, Spain
Bill Evans (d.2021), Australia
Bill Evans, War, Art and Ritual – Shields from the Pacific, Sydney, 2019
This impressive shield originates from the court of the Bangkalan principality in Madura, Indonesia. The inscriptions are all written in Jawi Arabic calligraphy that refer to Prince Cakraningrat, the Regent of Bangkalan, Madura (‘Pangeran Cakraningrat’, ‘Adipati Bangkalan Madura’).
The inclusion of ‘Pangeran Cakraningrat’ in the inscriptions indicates that the shield may have been made for Pangeran Hasyim (r.1882-1905), the first Madurese Regent under the Dutch colonial administration.
The multi-spoked chakra and trident carved into the shield are symbolic of Bangkalan royalty and appear in the court's coat of arms that are emblazoned on their ceremonial banners and weaponry. This Hindu and Buddhist iconography indicates the island's heritage, with the chakra representing the Buddhist dharmachakra, the Wheel of Law and the trident the Hindu god Shiva.
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