Terracotta Figurines
The purpose of these small ancient terracotta figurines remains a mystery. Nonetheless, they provide insights into the fashions and pastimes of the people of the ancient Javanese Majapahit court (13th – 16th centuries) located in eastern Java. This Buddhist and Hindu court was the cosmopolitan centre of a trading network extending to mainland Southeast Asia, China and India.
Local terracotta was hand sculpted and moulded into these human, animal and mythical figurines. 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.
Court Dancer’s Head, fragment |
Upper Torso of Court Attendant, fragment Majapahit era 13th – 16th centuries Terracotta Trowulan, East Java, Indonesia IND 03008 Gift of National Gallery of Australia, 2004 |
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| Boma, Hindu God Majapahit era 13th – 16th centuries Terracotta Trowulan, East Java, Indonesia IND 02965 Gift of National Gallery of Australia, 2004 |
Temple Vessel Majapahit era 13th – 16th centuries Terracotta Trowulan, East Java, Indonesia IND 02964 Gift of National Gallery of Australia, 2004 |
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| Goat’s Head, fragment Majapahit era 13th – 16th centuries Terracotta Trowulan, East Java, Indonesia IND 02998 Gift of National Gallery of Australia, 2004 |
Pig’s Head, fragment Majapahit era 13th – 16th centuries Terracotta Trowulan, East Java, Indonesia IND 02963 Gift of National Gallery of Australia, 2004 |
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| Horse’s Head, fragment Majapahit era 13th – 16th centuries Terracotta Trowulan, East Java, Indonesia IND 02997 Gift of National Gallery of Australia, 2004 |
Monkey’s Head, fragment Majapahit era 13th – 16th centuries Terracotta Trowulan, East Java, Indonesia IND 02999 Gift of National Gallery of Australia, 2004 |
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| Clown’s Head, fragment Majapahit era 13th – 16th centuries Terracotta Trowulan, East Java, Indonesia IND 02985 Gift of National Gallery of Australia, 2004 |
Nobleman’s Head, fragment Majapahit era 13th – 16th centuries Terracotta Trowulan, East Java, Indonesia IND 03002 Gift of National Gallery of Australia, 2004 |
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| Clown’s Head, fragment Majapahit era 13th – 16th centuries Terracotta Trowulan, East Java, Indonesia IND 02986 Gift of National Gallery of Australia, 2004 |
Head, fragment Majapahit era 13th – 16th centuries Terracotta Central Java, Indonesia IND 01135 Gift of National Gallery of Australia, 2004 |
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| Chinese Man’s Head, fragment Majapahit era 13th – 16th centuries Terracotta Trowulan, East Java, Indonesia IND 03005 Gift of National Gallery of Australia, 2004 |
Musician with Tamborine, fragment Majapahit era 13th – 16th centuries Terracotta Trowulan, East Java, Indonesia IND 03001 Gift of National Gallery of Australia, 2004 |
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| Seated Figure, fragment Majapahit era 13th – 16th centuries Terracotta Central Java, Indonesia IND 01138 |
Woman’s Torso, fragment Majapahit era 13th – 16th centuries Terracotta Central Java, Indonesia IND 01137 |
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| Figure with Snake, fragment Majapahit era 13th – 16th centuries Terracotta Trowulan, East Java, Indonesia IND 03004 Gift of National Gallery of Australia, 2004 |
Monkey Face with Hands, fragment Majapahit era 13th – 16th centuries Terracotta Trowulan, East Java, Indonesia IND 02984 Gift of National Gallery of Australia, 2004 |
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| Brahman Priest’s Head, fragment Majapahit era 13th – 16th centuries Terracotta Trowulan, East Java, Indonesia IND 03007 Gift of National Gallery of Australia, 2004 |
Brahman Priestess’s Head, fragment Majapahit era 13th – 16th centuries Terracotta Trowulan, East Java, Indonesia IND 02967 Gift of National Gallery of Australia, 2004 |
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| Palace Dancer’s Head, fragment Majapahit era 13th – 16th centuries Terracotta Trowulan, East Java, Indonesia IND 02980 Gift of National Gallery of Australia, 2004 |
Courtesan’s Head, fragment Majapahit era 13th – 16th centuries Terracotta Trowulan, East Java, Indonesia IND 02977 Gift of National Gallery of Australia, 2004 |
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| Courtesan’s Head, fragment Majapahit era 13th – 16th centuries Terracotta Trowulan, East Java, Indonesia IND 02983 Gift of National Gallery of Australia, 2004 |
Courtesan’s Head, fragment Majapahit era 13th – 16th centuries Terracotta Trowulan, East Java, Indonesia IND 02982 Gift of National Gallery of Australia, 2004 |
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| Palace Dancer’s Head, fragment Majapahit era 13th – 16th centuries Terracotta Trowulan, East Java, Indonesia IND 02981 Gift of National Gallery of Australia, 2004 |
