Ritual Jewellery

Amulets, pendants and earings, known as mamuli, are worn as ritual jewellery in eastern Indonesia. Varying in size, shape, decoration and name, mamuli are potent symbols of wealth and status across the region. Majestic gold mamuli are often preserved as sacred ritual clan treasures. Other simpler heirloom mamuli are exchanged between families as bride price payments.

Metals, such as silver and gold, melted and cast from foreign coins, are classified as ‘masculine’ and ‘hot’ in the world-view of eastern Indonesian cultures. Conversely, the open oval shape of the mamuli is similar to the female reproductive organ. The mamuli is known as a symbol of fertility, combining both masculine and feminine attributes.


*Mamuli* ‘*iti bholo’* earrings 20th century Silver and copper alloy Nage or Lio People, Flores, Indonesia IND 01169 a+b	*Mamuli* earrings 20th century Silver alloy Lio People, Flores, Indonesia IND 01513 a+b

*Mamuli* earring 20th century Silver alloy Solor Islands, Indonesia IND 00855	*Mamuli* earring 20th century Silver alloy Solor Islands, Indonesia IND 00854

*Mamuli* earring 20th century Silver alloy Solor Islands, Indonesia IND 00857	*Mamuli* earring 20th century Silver alloy Solor Islands, Indonesia IND 00858

*Mamuli* earring 20th century Silver alloy Solor Islands, Indonesia IND 00853	*Mamuli* earring 20th century Silver alloy Pantar Island, Indonesia IND 00851

*Mamuli ‘loblen’* earrings 20th century Silver alloy Lembata Island, Indonesia IND 00842 a+b	*Mamuli ‘loblen’* earrings 20th century Silver alloy Lembata Island, Indonesia IND 00841 a+b

*Mamuli* pendant and chain 20th century Silver alloy Sumba, Indonesia IND 01167	*Mamuli* pendant 20th century Silver alloy Sumba, Indonesia IND 00386

*Mamuli* pendant with buffalo horns 20th century Gold alloy Sumba, Indonesia IND 01168	*Mamuli* pendant 20th century Silver and copper alloy Sumba, Indonesia IND 01088

*Mamuli* earrings 20th century Copper alloy Tanimbar Islands, Indonesia IND 01089 a+b	*Mamuli ‘wea’* earrings 20th century Gold Lio or Sikka People, Flores, Indonesia IND 01092 a+b

*Mamuli ‘loran’* earrings 20th century Silver alloy Kisar Island, Indonesia IND 00844 a+b	*Mamuli ‘loran’* earrings 20th century Silver alloy, red cloth and black cotton thread Selaru Island, Indonesia IND 00849 a+b

*Mamuli* earrings 20th century Gold Timor-Leste IND 01347 a+b	*Mamuli* earrings 20th century Silver alloy Tetum People, Timor IND 01104 a+b

Gallery Showcases

Ritual Jewellery