Majapahit Terracotta
Over the years many terracotta sculptures and artifacts have been discovered as a result of agricultural activities, building roads etc. Some of these finds were brought together in the museum at Trowulan before World War II, but in the subsequent years much of this collection has been lost. Post WW II many of the pieces has been unearthed as the result of digging for gold. After the crops have been harvested the farmers lease their land to diggers who dig pits panning the alluvial soil for gold. The terracottas are an incidental find, often bearing the mark of the digging implement.Today, Trowulan Museum and National Museum of Indonesia host large collections of Majapahit terracotta art.
The word terracotta derives from the Latin word meaning burnt earth. Nowadays the word refers to all unglazed red earthenware objects. Much of the archeological studies of the area have focused on the reconstructions of the ruins. So far, in East Java no kilns have been found and most of the objects are relatively low fired, suggesting that the craftsmen worked by the earthenware method. They probably worked in a way similar to that being used today in Kasongan, near Yogyakarta and the one in Bali, where the figurines are sun dried. Then rice husks and straw heaped over them and set on fire. To attain a harder object the firing is repeated. So far no kilns that would have allowed higher temperatures to be reached have been discovered However there is some evidence that there may have been kilns from one figurine that is of a stone ware and has a glaze drip on the breast.
Containers in various sizes and shapes have been discovered in Trowulan. The containers probably used for various purposes, from water container to grain container. From large jar to box shaped water container. The typical kendi, a bulbous and tall neck water vessel with breast-like spout, similar to those still in use today have been found from Majapahit period sites.
Many human figurines have been found decapitated, suggesting their use as effigies or religious offerings. However, construction techniques may also have rendered them fragile. Another explanation is that these figurines were secular play objects, cast aside once broken. Commonly the figurines are small, measuring and constructed by the coil and pinch methods with carved or incised decorations, a forming method that is sculptural. Other figurines are made by moulding, as is the figure in the 1st image two images below. This is an unusual example in that there is no fracture line at the neck. The variety of expression is infinite with naturalistic postures and facial expressions. Complete figurines are rare compared to the many headless figures or heads without bodies. They often take the form of a woman sitting in a polite female pose, on her calves with her feet tucked underneath. The figure on the Right is complete. The 2nd figurine the head has been separated but the two fragments were found together. She sits holding something to her chest. This is either a talam or offering tray, or as Kunst thought, it may be a drum. The 3rd figurine is sitting and playing what can clearly be seen as a musical instrument. Next to her is a figurine with a red slip around her neck, presumably where at the place where the head would be separated. The reason for there being so many heads without bodies is unknown but it is speculated that the figurines were possibly decapitated in a ritual offering.
One of the famous Majapahit terracotta animal figure is Majapahit Piggy Bank, discovered in Trowulan. Other animal figures also discovered, such as Nandi bull, domestic animals, birds and elephants.
Carved bricks have been found in the area. These show scenes from daily life and depictions of religious or literary stories. The technique of construction are similar to the carved stone reliefs seen in the temples of central Java such as Borobudur. For the most part these bricks are single and in poor repair, but occasional sequences have been found. Frequently the figures in the panels are depicted in the East Java style, in which the body is full frontal, the face in the three quarter and the legs are in profile.
The people of Majapahit exploites terracotta earthenware method, producing various objects for their daily needs. Among wide ranges objects are; roof and floor tiles to terracotta water pipes and other architectural ornaments.
Related Sites for Majapahit Terracotta
- TERRACOTTA POTS | Furnishings accessories wholesale read Majapahit Terracotta
- Standing boar [Indonesia (Java)] (1987.142.259) | Heilbrunn ... read Majapahit Terracotta
- Southeast Asia, 1400รข€"1600 A.D. | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art ... read Majapahit Terracotta
- Collectibles - Wisma Antik read Majapahit Terracotta
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