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Batak

Magic Book (Pustaha)

Batak, 1879-1899

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Batak

Magic Book (Pustaha)

Batak, 1879-1899

Physical Qualities Ink and pigment on alim bast, wood, 18 x 15.5 x 5 cm. (7 1/16 x 6 1/8 x 1 15/16 in.)
Credit Line Gift of A. Randell McKechnie, Baltimore
Object Number 2009.177
Accordian format, primarily vertical lines of text interspersed with some linear, figural and vegetal motifs.
The Baltimore Museum of Art by gift, 2009; A. Randell McKechnie, Baltimore
Achim Sibeth, "The Batak," New York: Thames and Hudson, 1991.
Dallaslibrary.org/texas/finebooks/barkbook/htm for an example with a lizard carved in high relief on the front wooden cover.
kb.dk/elib/mss/treasures/oja/batak38.htm for an opened book extensively illustrated, and showing the type of pen used.
Maryantiques.com for a smaller book, with a lizard carved in low relief on the front cover; priced at $10,000.00
"A Hundred Harvests: The History of Asian Studies at Berkeley," lib.berkeley.edu/ SSEAL/AsiaExhibit/seac.html for an example with a more extensive illustration, very similar writing, but seems in less good condition.

Inscribed: None.

Culture

Batak

2000–2000

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