Asianart.com | Associations | Articles | Exhibitions | Galleries

Can anyone identify this large 13" high dragon head duck carving and project an approx. date in it? Note: A little damage! and I believe the lid is missing! Thank you! David

Your carved creature is Indonesian-made, from Bali, possibly meant to serve as a container of some sort, but missing its lid. It bears no small resemblance in its head and feathers to Garuda, the half man-half bird celestial being, who is the conveyance of the god Vishnu on the latter's rounds to get rid of Earthly evil. I know that the people of Northeastern Thailand who chew betel nut, carve and use animal-form boxes to store lime powder, which is made from ground shells and used to soften the acrid taste of the betel nut 'quid' when chewed. I have no idea who got the idea first, but it may be that Indonesians, who are known as aficionados of betel nut as well, may use boxes like this for the same purpose, an idea spawned in part by the apparent presence of powder at the edge of the cavity in yours.

Here are images of Garuda and a 'turtle' box, with the shell serving as lid for its lime storage.

Best regards,

Bill H.

Asianart.com | Associations | Articles | Exhibitions | Galleries |