Indonesian ceremonial bronze axes
The Indonesian ceremonial bronze axes were
Archaeology
The first record of metalwork in the Indonesian archipelago was around 500 BC. Most of the earliest bronze objects were probably used for ceremonies e.g., highly stylized axes and
Ceremonial bronze axes continued to be developed during the pre-Classic era from the 1st to 2nd century AD. During this period, bronze-casting industries flourished, especially in
Form
There are various forms of ceremonial bronze axes found in Indonesia. The similarities between these bronze axes are their artistic delicate patterns and their delicate fragile design which indicate their ceremonial use. A bronze ceremonial axe discovered in Landu on North Rote in 1875, contains anthropomorphic designs decorated with geometric patterns e.g., concentric circles, fish-bone pattern, and spirals, is very similar with the early art of the southwest Pacific; but with additional geometric motifs also found in bronze objects coming from mainland Asia, e.g., striated pattern.[4] This is very similar with those discovered in Sulawesi, such as the Makassar Axe which was kept in the National Museum of Indonesia.[3]
Large Indonesian ceremonial bronze axes, such as the Makassar Axe[5] (measuring 70.5 centimetres (27.8 in) in length and 30 centimetres (12 in) in width) and the similar Metropolitan Museum of Art example[6] (105.1 centimetres (41.4 in) x 67.3 centimetres (26.5 in)) - both classified as Soejono Type IIB,[7] were too large to be practical. This type of enormous bronze axes was produced using lost-wax casting in two parts which was then combined in the middle. The final object contains a hollow. This well-decorated bronze axe was without a doubt ceremonial in use, but the exact nature of the use is unknown. Being hollow (because the two parts were combined into one), it may have been used as a water vessel, or hanged as percussive instrument, or simply acted as heirloom objects as a symbol of status in important ceremonies.[8]
Swallow-tail socketed bronze axes were found in Java. An exceptionally large axe discovered in Bogor have its swallowtail part adorned on one of its surfaces by a roughly drawn mask with bud-shaped eyes.
Other types of Indonesian ceremonial bronze axe are the curved blades which have been discovered everywhere in the archipelago from West Java (e.g., at Bandung) to Sulawesi. The blade-shaped bronze axes were produced in full size and as miniatures. Although looking like a weapon, the elegant blade was not strong enough for any practical use in either warfare or agriculture use.[9]
Illustration of these axes carried by plumed warriors appears on various bronze objects across the archipelago and northern Vietnam, the origin of the Dong Son drum.
See also
References
- ^ Miksic 2001, p. 33.
- ^ Bellwood 2001, p. 39.
- ^ a b Bellwood 2001, p. 38.
- ^ Heekeren 2013, p. 11.
- ^ "BEJANA - Unknown - Google Arts & Culture". Google Cultural Institute. Retrieved 2017-11-11.
- ^ "Ceremonial Object in the Shape of an Ax | Indonesia (Sulawesi) | Bronze and Iron Age | The Met". The Metropolitan Museum of Art, i.e. The Met Museum. Retrieved 2017-11-11.
- ISSN 0125-7099.
- ^ Heekeren 2013, p. 10.
- ^ I Wayan Ardika 2001, p. 41.
Cited works
- Bellwood, Peter (2001). "Ceremonial Bronzes of the Pre-Classic Era". In Miksic, John (ed.). Ancient History. Indonesian Heritage. Archipelago Press. ISBN 9813018267.
- I Wayan Ardika (2001). "Social Complexity in Late Prehistoric Java". In Miksic, John (ed.). Ancient History. Indonesian Heritage. Archipelago Press. ISBN 9813018267.
- Heekeren, H.R. (2013). The Bronze-Iron Age of Indonesia. Verhandelingen van het Koninklijk Instituut voor Taal-, Land- en Volkenkunde. Vol. 22. Springer Science & Business Media. ISBN 9789401509091.
- ISBN 9813018267.