Title
Ring
Year/Period
Late 19th-early 20th centuries
Region
North Sumatra
Dimension
Object size: 4.0 x 4.0 x 2.5 cm
Accession No.
2002-00660
Collection of
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. Edmond Chin
This elaborate gold ring is worn by the Batak people. It is decorated with applied filigree and granulation and features two little birds drinking from a hollow compartment in the middle of the ring. This type of ring serves many purposes: they can be decorative pieces, amulets, conjurer’s tools for sorcerers, or ornaments used to change a run of bad luck. The hollow top of the ring can be used as a container to hold magic potions or medicine.
