Skip to main content
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 22

15th Century Majapahit Terracotta Handmaiden Figure (Woman Holding Her Hair)

$6,799.95
$8,499.9420% Off
£5,085.21
£6,356.5220% Off
€5,680
€7,10020% Off
CA$9,369.99
CA$11,712.4920% Off
A$10,222.42
A$12,778.0220% Off
CHF 5,412.71
CHF 6,765.8820% Off
MX$122,493.66
MX$153,117.0720% Off
NOK 68,933.83
NOK 86,167.2920% Off
SEK 63,034.88
SEK 78,793.6020% Off
DKK 43,259.94
DKK 54,074.9220% Off

About the Item

The sculpture captures a moment of serene grace, as the woman delicately holds her hair with her right hand, exuding an air of elegance rarely found in similar works. What makes this piece particularly unique is its unusual coloration: unlike most terracotta figures, which typically exhibit reddish-brown tones, this figure has darkened over time to a striking grey-black-brown hue. This transformation occurred due to centuries of submersion in the mud of the Brantas River, where the natural elements enriched the statue with its distinct coloration (refer to the photos of discoveries during the extraction of other statues, as seen on pages 16-17 of the catalog). Originating from the Trowulan region in East Java, this handmaiden figure is documented on page 161 as figure number 28 in the Majapahit catalog and stands as a rare example of terracotta craftsmanship from this ancient civilization. The piece has been carefully studied and authenticated by Professor Agus Aris Munandar, a distinguished scholar in Indonesian archaeology. Professor Munandar, born in 1959, is currently the professor of Indonesian Archaeology at the University of Indonesia in Jakarta. His extensive research focuses on Hindu-Buddhist archaeology, iconography, and the ancient history of Indonesia and Southeast Asia. He served as a member of the Indonesian team of experts at National Cultural Heritage from 2015 to 2018 and previously held the role of Head of Institute and Research at the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Indonesia. Now the head of the Department of Archaeology at the University of Indonesia, Professor Munandar has authored numerous articles and 19 books, many of which delve into Majapahit culture and artifacts, solidifying his reputation as a leading scholar in the field. This extraordinary figure is accompanied by a preface from Professor Massimo Vidale of the University of Padua, who offers invaluable insights into the significance of Majapahit terracotta artifacts. Professor Vidale, an expert in archaeological research methodology and oriental archaeology, has led multiple expeditions across the Near East, Central Asia, and North Africa, and his contributions to Majapahit studies enrich our understanding of these rare pieces. Standing at 70 cm in height and 28 cm in diameter, this majestic sculpture has undergone careful conservation to ensure its enduring beauty. It includes a certificate of authenticity attesting to its provenance and historical importance. Whether displayed as a centerpiece in an elegant modern interior or honored in a museum collection, this rare terracotta masterpiece is sure to captivate with its timeless allure and extraordinary story.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 27.56 in (70 cm)Diameter: 11.03 in (28 cm)
  • Style:
    Folk Art (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1500
  • Condition:
    Repaired. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Despite its age, this terracotta handmaiden figure remains remarkably well-preserved, thanks to a meticulous conservation restoration.77.
  • Seller Location:
    Brescia, IT
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU8256241423612

More From This Seller

View All
15th Century Majapahit Terracotta Handmaiden Figure (Fertile Woman with Child)
Located in Brescia, Brescia
Immerse yourself in the captivating legacy of the Majapahit Empire with this rare and beautifully preserved 15th-century terracotta handmaiden figure. Depicting a fertile woman tenderly holding her child, this evocative sculpture symbolizes the deep-rooted cultural values of fertility, family, and domestic protection that were integral to Majapahit society. These figures were often kept in households as guardians of the hearth, believed to bring prosperity and ensure the well-being of the family. This statue radiates a sense of ancient spirituality and reverence. Its connection to both the sacred and the everyday life of Majapahit culture makes it a fascinating piece for collectors and historians alike. Hailing from the esteemed Trowulan region in East Java, this rare piece has journeyed through centuries before finding its place in the private collection of Anacleto Spazzapan. Documented in the Majapahit catalog on page 144 as figure number 11, it has been meticulously studied and authenticated by Professor Agus Aris Munandar, a prominent authority in Indonesian archaeology. Professor Munandar, born in 1959, is currently the professor of Indonesian Archaeology at the University of Indonesia in Jakarta. His extensive research focuses on Hindu-Buddhist archaeology, iconography, and the ancient history of Indonesia and Southeast Asia. He served as a member of the Indonesian team of experts at National Cultural Heritage from 2015 to 2018 and previously held the role of Head of Institute and Research at the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Indonesia. Now the head of the Department of Archaeology at the University of Indonesia, Professor Munandar has authored numerous articles and 19 books, many of which delve into Majapahit culture and artifacts, solidifying his reputation as a leading scholar in the field. Professor Munandar's endorsement, complemented by a preface from Professor Massimo Vidale of the University of Padua, offers invaluable insights into the religious and decorative significance of Majapahit terracotta...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Javanese Folk Art Antiquities

Materials

Terracotta

Pair of hand-sculpted terracotta figures by ceramic artist Saverio Farci, 1960s
By Farci Saverio
Located in Brescia, Brescia
A stunning pair of hand-modeled terracotta sculptures by the Sardinian master ceramist Saverio Farci, representing a man and a woman. Each piece is entirely handmade, displaying Farc...
Category

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic, Terracotta

Abstract Decorative Glazed Ceramic Vase Sculpture by Pupo Gino, 1940s, Italy
Located in Brescia, Brescia
This extraordinary abstract decorative vase sculpture, crafted by the talented Italian artist Pupo Gino in the 1940s, is a stunning example of mid-20th-century ceramic artistry. The ...
Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Art Nouveau Vases

Materials

Ceramic

Exquisite Pair of Decorative Angel Head Busts, Mixed Media, 1930s
Located in Brescia, Brescia
Embrace timeless elegance with this stunning pair of angel heads, originating from a majestic Liberty villa of the 1930s. Crafted with meticulous detail and employing a captivating b...
Category

Vintage 1930s Italian Mid-Century Modern Busts

Materials

Limestone

1950s Brutalist Ceramic Jug by C.A.S. Vietri – Gray and Earth Tone Glaze
By C.A.S. Vietri
Located in Brescia, Brescia
This striking Brutalist ceramic jug from the 1950s, crafted by C.A.S. Vietri, embodies the raw, textured allure of mid-century design. The jug is finished with a distinctive "drop gl...
Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Pottery

Materials

Ceramic

Early 1900s Indian Carved Wooden Chakki Grinder Coffee Table with Iron Detailing
Located in Brescia, Brescia
This unique, circular Indian coffee table, originally designed as a traditional chakki grinder, is a stunning testament to hand-carved craftsmanship and cultural heritage. Made from ...
Category

Antique Early 1900s Indian Tribal Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Iron

You May Also Like

Majapahit in terracotta, Indonesia - 1295-1500
Located in Fidenza, IT
La terracotta Majapahit è l'arte tra il XIII e il XV secolo. Alcuni manufatti di terracotta di questo periodo sono stati scoperti a Trowulan, East Java. Alcune sculture, ritrovate n...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Indonesian Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Pottery

Majapahit in terracotta, Indonesia- 1295-1500
Located in Fidenza, IT
Majapahit periodo 1295 - 1500, Indonesia. La terracotta Majapahit è l’arte tra XIII e il XV secolo. Significativi manufatti di terracotta di questo periodo sono stati scoperti a Tro...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Indonesian Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Pottery

Indian Goddess Figurine Statue
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautifully authentic hand carved statue of an Indian deity goddess. Distressed paint finish.
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier Indian Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Paint

Antique Indian Sheesham Wood Temple Sculpture Depicting a Woman Wearing a Tunic
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique Indian sheesham wood temple statue of a woman wearing a tunic from the 19th century, with headdress, traces of polychromy and nicely weathere...
Category

Antique 19th Century Indian Busts

Materials

Wood

Old Sandstone Apsara Lady Statue from India
Located in DEVENTER, NL
Material: Sandstone Material: wood 109 cm high 43 cm wide and 24 cm deep Hand carved from a single block of Sandstone Originating from India Middle 20th century From the stat...
Category

Mid-20th Century Indian Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

18th Century, Antique Burmese Wooden Seated Figure of Lady Holding Lotus
Located in Sampantawong, TH
Antique Burmese wooden seated figure of lady holding lotus. Age: Burma, 18th Century Size: Height 55.4 C.M. / Width 18.5 C.M. / Depth 16.5 C.M. Condition: Some expected degradation ...
Category

Antique 18th Century Burmese Antiquities

Materials

Wood