Architectural ornament

Toba Batak artist

late 19th–early 20th century · Wood, paint · Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

Traditionally, Batak communal houses were richly decorated with geometric designs and naturalistic figures brightly painted in red, white, and black. The main decorative elements on the houses were large, carved animal heads incised with complex curvilinear motifs. The architectural ornaments on the sides of the house consisted predominantly of horses' heads such as this one. These highly ornate pieces were not only decorative but also served as supernatural guardians that ensured the safety and security of the structure's inhabitants. In the Toba Batak region, horses were often consecrated to the three principal deities, and were believed to have the ability to transport individuals to the realm of the ancestors. They were also symbols of high status, since only the elite could afford to own them.

Artist

Toba Batak artist

Date

late 19th–early 20th century

Medium

Wood, paint

Culture

Toba Batak

Department

Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

Credit line

Gift of Fred and Rita Richman, 1988