Big Toraja ceremonial bracelets, Sulawesi (Indonesia)

A pair of ceremonial silver armbands, called lola-lola, worn by the Toraja women, Central Sulawesi (Indonesia).

The display of elaborate jewellery is of critical importance, especially in funeral ceremonies, to emphasize the status and wealth of the upper classes. The lola-lola were often of immense size and important family heirlooms, worn by noble women on ceremonial occasions. They were fashioned by covering a wood core (not visible) with plates of metal, gold, gild silver or copper. The surface of the ring around the center was then engraved with a spiral motif and multiple rows of radiating spikes inset with glass beads.

Materials: gilded silver or low gold alloy (8kt) on the top, both sides, high grade silver (tested) inside the perimeter of the bracelets, glass beads.

From mid 20th century.

Dimensions:

Total diameter: 18 cm
Inner diameter:  6,5 cm
Width: 4 cm

Weight: 1075 gr

Literature:

“Ethnic Jewelry from Indonesia”, Carpenter, Bruce W., Editions Didier Millet, 2011, p. 186-7
“Living with indonesian art”, Brinkgreve, Francine y Stuart-Fox, Rijksmuseum Volkenkunde, 2013, p. 252
A similar example is in the Wereld Museum in Rotterdam