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jhameiaA small statuette, most likely for decoration, of a mousedeer in a crouching pose. Unlike our regular mousedeer, it has a single horn, like a goat's, sticking out from the right side of its forehead.* Nonetheless, it is recognizable as being from the Tragiludae family - possibly a Greater Mousedeer.
The statuette is carved from meranti wood, although hints of sandalwood scent can be detected. Its surface is unpolished, and thus a bit flakey. Sample flakes have been sent to the labs to determine the true specie of wood it was carved in.
The base of the statuette has no signature of the artist, although under the base, there is a Jawi phrase reading, "Untuk Zafarina, dari Rosenblommu."** ("For Zafarina, from your Rozenblom.")
Weight: 800g
Height: 30cm
Width: 20cm
Base: 50cm in circumference
Origin: Indeterminate, although judging by the writing, Malayan for sure.
Notes:
* The placement of the horn indicates another one on the other side of the head. Possibly in reference to the old Amalthea myth??
** This is inconclusive as it is the sloppiest Jawi writing I've ever seen. If not for the practice I get in reading my children's handwriting, this would have been all Greek to me.
The statuette is carved from meranti wood, although hints of sandalwood scent can be detected. Its surface is unpolished, and thus a bit flakey. Sample flakes have been sent to the labs to determine the true specie of wood it was carved in.
The base of the statuette has no signature of the artist, although under the base, there is a Jawi phrase reading, "Untuk Zafarina, dari Rosenblommu."** ("For Zafarina, from your Rozenblom.")
Weight: 800g
Height: 30cm
Width: 20cm
Base: 50cm in circumference
Origin: Indeterminate, although judging by the writing, Malayan for sure.
Notes:
* The placement of the horn indicates another one on the other side of the head. Possibly in reference to the old Amalthea myth??
** This is inconclusive as it is the sloppiest Jawi writing I've ever seen. If not for the practice I get in reading my children's handwriting, this would have been all Greek to me.
geminianeyesThe golden statuette was brought to my table by one of the assistants. Apparently there's some ruckus about a security guard who was seen trying to smuggle it out. The workmanship on the statuette is exquisite; the woman is depicted sitting down with what looks like a mousedeer on her lap. In her hand she holds a sheathed keris which looks suspiciously like the blazing keris my colleague has so kindly entered into the records before this.
Weight: 0kg (not more than a few grams though, this thing is LIGHT!)
Height: 30cm
Carbon dating: Approx in the 1600s
Origins: Suspect Thailand, as the woman is garbed in the Thai Jakgree Style
Note: The details that I thought were part of her dress seem to be something more. Lab reports suggests that the gold itself did not originate anywhere in the Nusantara, even if the workmanship. It's not pure gold, but it is mixed with something else. That metal is yet to be determined.
Weight: 0kg (not more than a few grams though, this thing is LIGHT!)
Height: 30cm
Carbon dating: Approx in the 1600s
Origins: Suspect Thailand, as the woman is garbed in the Thai Jakgree Style
Note: The details that I thought were part of her dress seem to be something more. Lab reports suggests that the gold itself did not originate anywhere in the Nusantara, even if the workmanship. It's not pure gold, but it is mixed with something else. That metal is yet to be determined.
Abstract of item: Hardwood figurine
Mar. 18th, 2010 03:40 pmfrangipaniThe object is a carved hardwood figurine identified as a human female. Preliminary tests indicate that the figurine is carved from the wood of Fagraea fragrans and dates back from 1800s. The artist have chosen to carve these details: eyes, nose, breasts and mouth. The head is disproportionately large to the rest of the body. She is slender, and shown sitting upright on a circular base with her hands on her knees and wearing a conical hat. Geometric designs (possibly based on plant or animal life) are carved into the base. An examination of the bottom of the base reveals three circular holes of approx. 2 cm in diameter and depth carved into the wood. At the center of the bottom of the base is a slightly larger circle of rough wood, as if something had been snapped off.
Measurements:
Weight: Unknown due to fluctuations
Length: 2.5 meters including base
Width: 40cm at its widest diameter
Origin:Unknown Possibly Sabah (see update)
Object was first identified as a bundle wrapped in cloth (cotton, white, stained with dark brown splotches), tied with rattan. Examination by archeologist, S.A., during the removal of the exterior cover suggests that the object was wrapped with precision and care, presumably indicating that it is an object of importance.
Efforts to obtain an accurate reading of the weight of the object have so far failed. Readings range from 1.6kg to 4.8kg, and each attempted weighting of the object has rendered the machine nonfunctional. Tests on the wood show biochemical anomalies that are as yet unexplained in composition or function. The dark brown stains on the cloth wrappings have been positively identified as that of human blood.
It is speculated that the conical hat may be a woven leaf hat related to the Malaysian topi mengkuang and the Vietnamese nón lá. Due to the preponderance of similar headwear in the region of Southeast Asia, it may be difficult to pinpoint the exact origin of the figure.
( Update )
Measurements:
Weight: Unknown due to fluctuations
Length: 2.5 meters including base
Width: 40cm at its widest diameter
Origin:
Object was first identified as a bundle wrapped in cloth (cotton, white, stained with dark brown splotches), tied with rattan. Examination by archeologist, S.A., during the removal of the exterior cover suggests that the object was wrapped with precision and care, presumably indicating that it is an object of importance.
Efforts to obtain an accurate reading of the weight of the object have so far failed. Readings range from 1.6kg to 4.8kg, and each attempted weighting of the object has rendered the machine nonfunctional. Tests on the wood show biochemical anomalies that are as yet unexplained in composition or function. The dark brown stains on the cloth wrappings have been positively identified as that of human blood.
It is speculated that the conical hat may be a woven leaf hat related to the Malaysian topi mengkuang and the Vietnamese nón lá. Due to the preponderance of similar headwear in the region of Southeast Asia, it may be difficult to pinpoint the exact origin of the figure.
( Update )
Abstract of Item: Garuda Clockwork Statue
Mar. 17th, 2010 01:11 pmyelosonThis massive statue is in the shape of a golden bird composed of some form of unknown metallic alloy. Of the thousands of metallic feathers, a single one is missing with the tiniest of blackening (possibly from lightning?). The dating results have been sealed for employees with security clearance 9 or above, and so is omitted from this report.
Weight: 333kg
Length: 4.5m (standing)
Width: 18m (wings outstretched)
Origin: South Indian? The styling is a bit difficult to place to a specific time period.
Aside from the sheer presence of the piece, closer inspection reveals that each individual feather is actually articulates independently. The head has a small latch which reveals a bizarre tiny throne surrounded by levers of all types, which appear capable of articulating the statue.
Internal memo:
Is this some childish hazing ritual? I just spent two weeks examining this thing top to bottom, and half of the tests come back "inconclusive" or "beyond my security clearance"? I know, I know, it was an excellent way for me to learn the layout of the offices and labs, but seriously? Am I to believe there was a 6 cm pilot for this device?
Weight: 333kg
Length: 4.5m (standing)
Width: 18m (wings outstretched)
Origin: South Indian? The styling is a bit difficult to place to a specific time period.
Aside from the sheer presence of the piece, closer inspection reveals that each individual feather is actually articulates independently. The head has a small latch which reveals a bizarre tiny throne surrounded by levers of all types, which appear capable of articulating the statue.
Internal memo:
Is this some childish hazing ritual? I just spent two weeks examining this thing top to bottom, and half of the tests come back "inconclusive" or "beyond my security clearance"? I know, I know, it was an excellent way for me to learn the layout of the offices and labs, but seriously? Am I to believe there was a 6 cm pilot for this device?
