Title
Mamuli fragments
Year/Period
19th century
Region
Sumba, Lesser Sunda Islands
Dimension
refer to parts
Accession No.
2002-00548
Collection of
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. Edmond Chin
These are two gold monkeys who were once part of the decoration for the base of a big ‘mamuli’. A mamuli is a beautifully crafted, diamond-shaped gold pendant, often featuring granulated and braided wire decorations of highly intricate design. Some mamuli, especially the old and valuable ones, are considered family heirlooms, while the more ordinary mamuli are often passed on from family to family with each successive marriage ceremony. It is one of the most important items of gift exchange and it is given to the bride’s family by the groom’s family.
