Description:

A GROUP OF JEWELLERY ELEMENTS "TAIGANJA"
Sulawesi, South, Toraja, 18th/19th cent.
L. 5 - 8,5 cm
Coloured metal. Fünf jewellery elements of the Toraja on Sulawesi. They are essentially based on an anthropomorphic form with a strongly emphasised midriff (most clearly visible on the upper pair). There are various motifs in the elaboration and the interpretations vary from region to region on Sulawesi. On the one hand they are said to symbolise purity, wealth and invulnerability, on the other hand they serve as decoration on the girls' headbands for the transition into adulthood. They were also pieces of jewellery for noble women in Muslim coastal regions or gifts for the bride's parents. For weddings, they were also worn in groups on gold chains as a necklace around the neck. Because of the magical powers of the taiganja, they were kept in special jewellery boxes in the house.
Collected from an old German private collection since the 1950s

There are a number of interpretations for the shape of the taigania, which are basically to be seen as stylized female sexual organs and symbolize fertility. The design, which often consists of spheres, especially around the rim and the central opening (lower pair), is referred to as “human eggs”, while the spikes often found around the rim (middle piece) are veiled as crab claws or ears of rice. Originally, this is probably an attenuation of a makkara head or an aquatic primordial dragon with pronounced teeth. This would obviously mean that a strong apotropaic symbol - the makkara or sea dragon, as a mythical primordial serpent often also the addressee of the sacrifice - protects the central motif of the vagina embodying birth. Taiganja are associated with marriage and fertility in the context of adat. Taiganja are also important for gender-specific rites of passage, such as the filing of teeth mokesa among the Eastern Toraja, or as a war amulet. This fact is particularly significant in view of their vaginal form, as the “procurement of life” is the warrior's task. The travesty shamans Sigi Kaili, a well-known phenomenon in the Toraja and Bugis region - and not only there - wore these amulets on public occasions to ward off disaster and cyclical agricultural protection spells. In the context of the “high religions” and their linear view of cosmological processes, this significance was somewhat lost, even though travesty shamans are still of particular importance throughout Southeast Asia today due to their dual significance for both spheres and the duality of all areas of life.

Gruppe Schmuckelemente "taiganja"
Sulawesi, Süd-, Toraja, 18./19. Jh.
L. 5 - 8,5 cm
Buntmetall. Fünf Schmuckelemente der Toraja auf Sulawesi. Im Wesentlichen basieren sie auf einer anthropomorphen Form mit stark hervorgehobener Leibesmitte (am Deutlichsten am oberen Paar erkennbar). Es gibt verschiedene Motive in der Ausarbeitung und die Interpretationen variieren auf Sulawesi von Region zu Region. Zum einen sollen sie Reinheit, Reichtum und Unverwundbarkeit symbolisieren, zum anderen dienen sie als Dekoration an den Stirnbändern der Mädchen für den Übergang ins Erwachsenenleben. Sie waren auch Schmuckstück für adelige Frauen in muslimischen Küstenregionen oder auch Geschenke an die Brauteltern. Für Hochzeiten wurden sie auch in Gruppen an Goldketten als Collier um den Hals getragen. Wegen der magischen Kräfte der taiganja wurden sie in speziellen Schmuckkästen im Haus aufbewahrt.
Aus einer alten deutschen Privatsammlung seit den 1950er Jahren gesammelt

Es gibt eine Reihe von Interpretationen für die Form der taigania, die grundsätzlich als stilisierte weibliche Geschlechtsorgane anzusprechen sind und Fruchtbarkeit symbolisieren. Die oft aus Kugeln bestehende Gestaltung vor allem im Randbereich und um die zentrale Öffnung (unteres Paar) wird als „menschliche Eier“ angesprochen, während die oft vorhandenen Zacken am Rande (Stück Mitte) verschleiernd als Krabbenscheren ode

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December 9, 2024 9:30 AM CET
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0 € 19 € 5 €
20 € 179 € 10 €
180 € 299 € 20 €
300 € 359 € 30 €
360 € 399 € 40 €
400 € 899 € 50 €
900 € 999 € 100 €
1.000 € 1.999 € 100 €
2.000 € 2.999 € 200 €
3.000 € 3.599 € 300 €
3.600 € 3.999 € 400 €
4.000 € 9.999 € 500 €
10.000 € 19.999 € 1.000 €
20.000 € 29.999 € 2.000 €
30.000 € 35.999 € 3.000 €
36.000 € 39.999 € 4.000 €
40.000 € 99.999 € 5.000 €
100.000 € 199.999 € 10.000 €
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