Majapahit Empire Terracotta Head

Description

Antique 14th Cent. Majapahit Empire Terracotta Female Head

Region: Trowulan   East Java   Indonesia

Period: 13th – 15th Century

Head Height: 85mm

Head Width: 65mm

Terracotta pottery was an important craft during the Majapahit era. Many similar female heads show Javanese features with infinite facial expressions, with hairstyles and ear ornamentation representing ladies belonging to the upper classes.

This terracotta head is unique and to be enjoyed as a nice historical piece of ancient Indonesian history. It will also make an excellent and interesting gift, ideal for desk or shelf display. It was acquired in a batch of terracotta’s several decades ago along with some other nice terracottas (listed on eBay) and a large assortment of fragments.

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.

Often 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 from Trowulan, East Java. Majapahit terracotta artefacts of my collection are mainly incidental finds by farmers agricultural activities – or unearthed by diggers who dig pits panning the alluvial soil for gold.

This ancient terracotta head is in reasonable considering the age of the artefact. It has minor abrasions over the right eye and part of the nose. Please view all of the photos…