Description
Antique Majapahit Female Terracotta Head
Region: Trowulan East Java Indonesia
Period: 13th – 15th Century
Height including stand: 16cm
Head Height: 9.5cm
Head Width: 8cm
This genuine and rarely found larger than usual Majapahit terracotta head (with enigmatic expression) is unique and to be enjoyed as a nice historical piece of ancient Indonesian history. It will make an excellent and interesting gift, ideal for desk or shelf display. It was acquired in a batch of many terracotta’s several decades ago, along with other nice effigies (listed on eBay) and a large assortment of terracotta fragments.
Terracotta pottery was an important craft during the Majapahit era. This excellently female head shows Javanese features with an infinite facial expression, with hairstyle and ear ornamentation representing a lady belonging to the upper classes.
The Majapahit Empire of Eastern Java flourished during the 13th-16th centuries. It was a powerful and wealthy maritime Empire that controlled most of the trade routes through the Strait of Malacca and the Java Sea.
Many figurines have been found decapitated, suggesting their use as effigies or religious offerings to the gods for bountiful harvests. It is also thought that they were secular play objects, cast aside once broken. Complete figurines are rare compared to the many headless figures or heads without bodies.
Most Majapahit terracotta artefacts are found at Trowulan, East Java. Majapahit terracotta artefacts of my collection have in the main been incidental finds by farmers agricultural activities – or unearthed by diggers who dig pits panning the alluvial soil for gold.
This ancient and perfect Majapahit terracotta female head is in excellent condition considering the centuries below ground and the age of this artefact. Please view all of the photos…
