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Sealed pot
Indonesia, Sumatra 
Toba Batak. 19th century 
Wood, celadon, copper, plant fibres
Acquired from Berkeley Galleries in London in 1957
MEG INV. ETHAS 026784  
 

Damien Kunik, curator and head of the Asian collections at MEG

This pot was long displayed as a vessel containing pupuk, "pulp of an adolescent". In fact, the MEG knows nothing about its contents and research undertaken in 2023 makes this hypothesis doubtful. Below the finely carved stopper, the jar is a Chinese celadon dating from the 13th century. Rather than confirming the Toba people's fantasized savagery, of which no serious anthropological account exists, this object seems more to bear witness to this group's long involvement in Asian maritime networks.

Bâton de magie, tunggal panaluan
Indonésie, Sumatra, lac Toba 
Toba Batak. 19e siècle 
Bois, crin 
Acquis de G. Schneider en 1931
MEG Inv. ETHAS 013502

Les personnages sculptés sur ce bâton sont ceux du mythe de création des populations Toba Batak. Ce sceptre porte également, à son sommet, une poche de substances magiques, dont le MEG a estimé par le passé qu’elle était faite de restes humains. Des recherches menées en 2023 font aujourd’hui renoncer à cette possibilité.