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ID #SA1079947
FOR SALE
£2,995
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Pair Large (5ft) Toraja Sulawesi Carved Tribal Doors,c1850
Curious Antiques
for sale €3,504     $3,804
£2,995

Curious Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jun 2015
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Id #SA1079947
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Pair Large (5ft) Toraja Sulawesi Carved Tribal Doors,c1850

19th century
For Sale by Curious Antiques
Description

Very rare pair of large carved tribal doors from the Toraja tribal area, Sulawesi, Indonesia, c1850. The Toraja live in a mountainous area of South Sulawesi island .Most probably old doors from an ancestral house (Tongkonan) or rice granary doors, these are a particularly large (almost 5 feet tall) , very heavy and well carved examples seldom seen in the UK. The doors are beautifully carved in high relief with a central figure holding a chicken, standing on the head of a water buffalo holding onto the animal's horn. There are further smaller depictions of water buffalo above the central motif. The traditional Toraja religion, known as 'aluk to dolo' venerates the water buffalo as their most auspicious animal totem and at great funerals and other ceremonies they are sacrificed to accompany the dead to the next world. This depiction is therefore highly symbolic and the quality of the doors indicates they would have been prestige pieces highly valued by the Toraja. Overall condition is very good and the wood has a lovely rice deep colour. At some point hooks have been attached to the rear to enable the doors to be hung on the wall. These are large ,highly decorative pieces that would display very well in any home.

Price includes FREE UK delivery. Please contact me regarding international shipping.

Size: 148cm tall x 56cm wide x 8cm deep, weight approximately 40 kgs the pair.

Physical Dimensions
Height
148cm (58.27")
Width
56cm (22.05")
Depth
8cm (3.15")
Declaration

Curious Antiques has dated these Toraja Carved Tribal Doors to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1079947
Dealers Notes

Curious Antiques specialises in sourcing fine, rare and unusual antiques and curiosities. We are passionate about customer satisfaction and will do all we can to ensure you are happy and in the unlikely event you are not offer a no questions asked returns policy. We accept payment via paypal, bank transfer, cheque and cash.

Description
Very rare pair of large carved tribal doors from the Toraja tribal area, Sulawesi, Indonesia, c1850. The Toraja live in a mountainous area of South Sulawesi island .
“
Most probably old doors from an ancestral house (Tongkonan) or rice granary doors, these are a particularly large (almost 5 feet tall) , very heavy and well carved examples seldom seen in the UK.
Curious Antiques

The doors are beautifully carved in high relief with a central figure holding a chicken, standing on the head of a water buffalo holding onto the animal's horn. There are further smaller depictions of water buffalo above the central motif. The traditional Toraja religion, known as 'aluk to dolo' venerates the water buffalo as their most auspicious animal totem and at great funerals and other ceremonies they are sacrificed to accompany the dead to the next world. This depiction is therefore highly symbolic and the quality of the doors indicates they would have been prestige pieces highly valued by the Toraja. Overall condition is very good and the wood has a lovely rice deep colour. At some point hooks have been attached to the rear to enable the doors to be hung on the wall. These are large ,highly decorative pieces that would display very well in any home.

Price includes FREE UK delivery. Please contact me regarding international shipping.

Size: 148cm tall x 56cm wide x 8cm deep, weight approximately 40 kgs the pair.

Height
148cm (58.27")
Width
56cm (22.05")
Depth
8cm (3.15")
Date of Manufacture

Curious Antiques has dated these Toraja Carved Tribal Doors to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1079947
Curious Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jun 2015
Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Curious Antiques Profile Page

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Pair of dark hand-carved wooden doors featuring high-relief human figures holding roosters above water buffalo heads with bone inlaid eyes.
1 / 22
Archive I Pair of dark hand-carved wooden doors featuring high-relief human figures holding roosters above water buffalo heads with bone inlaid eyes.

Pair Large (5ft) Toraja Sulawesi Carved Tribal Doors,c1850

Archive II Pair of dark hand-carved wooden doors featuring high-relief human figures holding roosters above water buffalo heads with bone inlaid eyes. View II
Archive III Pair of dark hand-carved wooden doors featuring high-relief human figures holding roosters above water buffalo heads with bone inlaid eyes. View III
Archive IV Pair of dark hand-carved wooden doors featuring high-relief human figures holding roosters above water buffalo heads with bone inlaid eyes. View IV
Archive V Pair of dark hand-carved wooden doors featuring high-relief human figures holding roosters above water buffalo heads with bone inlaid eyes. View V
Archive VI Pair of dark hand-carved wooden doors featuring high-relief human figures holding roosters above water buffalo heads with bone inlaid eyes. View VI
Archive VII Pair of dark hand-carved wooden doors featuring high-relief human figures holding roosters above water buffalo heads with bone inlaid eyes. View VII
Archive VIII Pair of dark hand-carved wooden doors featuring high-relief human figures holding roosters above water buffalo heads with bone inlaid eyes. View VIII
Archive IX Pair of dark hand-carved wooden doors featuring high-relief human figures holding roosters above water buffalo heads with bone inlaid eyes. View IX
Archive X Pair of dark hand-carved wooden doors featuring high-relief human figures holding roosters above water buffalo heads with bone inlaid eyes. View X
Archive XI Pair of dark hand-carved wooden doors featuring high-relief human figures holding roosters above water buffalo heads with bone inlaid eyes. View XI
Archive XII Pair of dark hand-carved wooden doors featuring high-relief human figures holding roosters above water buffalo heads with bone inlaid eyes. View XII
Archive XIII Pair of dark hand-carved wooden doors featuring high-relief human figures holding roosters above water buffalo heads with bone inlaid eyes. View XIII
Archive XIV Pair of dark hand-carved wooden doors featuring high-relief human figures holding roosters above water buffalo heads with bone inlaid eyes. View XIV
Archive XV Pair of dark hand-carved wooden doors featuring high-relief human figures holding roosters above water buffalo heads with bone inlaid eyes. View XV
Archive XVI Pair of dark hand-carved wooden doors featuring high-relief human figures holding roosters above water buffalo heads with bone inlaid eyes. View XVI
Archive XVII Pair of dark hand-carved wooden doors featuring high-relief human figures holding roosters above water buffalo heads with bone inlaid eyes. View XVII
Archive XVIII Pair of dark hand-carved wooden doors featuring high-relief human figures holding roosters above water buffalo heads with bone inlaid eyes. View XVIII
Archive XIX Pair of dark hand-carved wooden doors featuring high-relief human figures holding roosters above water buffalo heads with bone inlaid eyes. View XIX
Archive XX Pair of dark hand-carved wooden doors featuring high-relief human figures holding roosters above water buffalo heads with bone inlaid eyes. View XX
Archive XXI Pair of dark hand-carved wooden doors featuring high-relief human figures holding roosters above water buffalo heads with bone inlaid eyes. View XXI
Archive XXII Pair of dark hand-carved wooden doors featuring high-relief human figures holding roosters above water buffalo heads with bone inlaid eyes. View XXII
Enlarged Archival View

Curious Antiques
Telephone 07795 237 189
Location
Curious Antiques
Timeline Antiques Centre
Midland Road
North Walsham
Norfolk
NR28 9JR
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/curious
Verified Since Jun 2015
Items For Sale 140
Items Sold 369
Curious Antiques
Verified Since Jun 2015
View Dealer Info
Location: Curious Antiques, Timeline Antiques Centre, Midland Road, North Walsham, Norfolk, NR28 9JR, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/curious
Verified
Jun 2015
For Sale
140
Sold
369
Pair of dark hand-carved wooden doors featuring high-relief human figures holding roosters above water buffalo heads with bone inlaid eyes.
Pair Large (5ft) Toraja Sulawesi Carved Tribal Doors,c1850
Ref: SA1079947
Pair of dark hand-carved wooden doors featuring high-relief human figures holding roosters above water buffalo heads with bone inlaid eyes.
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FAQs

Originating from the Toraja ethnic group of South Sulawesi, Indonesia, these carved wooden doors and panels were traditionally crafted for ancestral houses or granaries, featuring rich relief carvings that symbolise status, prosperity, and spiritual protection.

These pieces are typically hand-carved from solid indigenous hardwoods using iron chisels and gouges, often featuring deep relief work and occasional bone inlay for details such as eyes.

Authentic period pieces feature deep hand-chiseled relief work with traditional motifs such as water buffalo heads and stylized human figures, showing genuine surface patination, tool marks, and natural age-related wood shrinkage.

Large carved panels can be mounted directly onto walls as sculptural focal art, used as distinctive bed headboards, or suspended as decorative room dividers in contemporary schemes.

Position the wood away from direct heat sources and damp conditions to prevent movement, dusting regularly with a dry soft brush and applying a clear microcrystalline wax when necessary to preserve the timber.
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