Finial of a Processional Staff with Serpents

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Finial of a Processional Staff with Serpents

Indonesia, Eastern Java, circa 14th century
Architecture; Architectural Elements
Copper alloy
6 7/8 x 6 3/4 x 1 7/8 in. (17.5 x 17.1 x 4.8 cm)
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Pratapaditya Pal (M.89.131.7)
South and Southeast Asian Art
Not currently on public view

Curator Notes

...
This serpentine finial was once affixed to a processional staff. The hollow central shaft is adorned with two dragon-like serpents (nagas) whose undulating scaly bodies with stylized flames emerge from the axis protected by demonic masks known as kala (time, death, or black) heads. The serpents wear lotus bud crowns atop bejeweled tiaras. They have bulging eyes and an upturned pointed snout. Their jaws are wide open with two rows of pointed fangs and long curly tongues. The central shaft is ringed and embellished with floral medallions. Graceful foliate tendrils with flames emanate at the halfway point. The apex of the finial is a stylized flame. See Jan Fontein, The Sculpture of Indonesia (Washington: National Gallery of Art, 1990), pp. 263, 265, no. 93. A comparable Eastern Javanese staff finial is in the Museum Nasional, Jakarta (843).
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