Threshold ladder from traditional Ngada house Gurusina- Flores middle 20th c

  

N authentic and unique piece f. Rom one of the last traditional villages still intact on Flores island: a. Carved treeshold that has a very important and symbolic function in the traditional Ngada house , connecting the veranda to the main room (one sao). The internal area of the Ngada house has three levels: starting from the veranda the levels are teda moa, teda one, and one sao.

The Teda moa area is designed for informal situations and is generally used by women for their weaving while looking after their children. The Teda one area is used for rather official situations such as guest receptions.

The inner and most important part of the house, is the o ne sao , where the family rests and cooks. The entrance panel of the one sao is called k abapere and is carved with motifs like buffalo head, chicken and sawa on the top, left, and right of a narrow door that is so small in size, anyone who enters has to bow as a sign of respect. Ne sao is a sacred place and is accessible by a wooden ladder called. Which is the piece offered in this lot.

Thangi is decorated with naga motives and has on the top left and right, four pieces which can be removed. Is interesting to notice that t. He same type of item is exposed in the Quai Branly museum. I personally field collected t. In Gurusina, from a family that had substituted it with a new one and had this one kept in the basement for a while.

It was quite difficult to acquire this piece as the house is considered a sacred place. Even the single parts of it are sacred and therefore not saleable. It is carved with typical naga motifs, is long 155 cm x 88 x 40 (62" x 35" x 16) and weighs around 40 kg. A big hole has formed on the board, please see the pictures to get your own impression. 2 of the four removable parts to be fixe on the top sides are lost. According to the owner this piece dates back to around mid. In the last 2 pictures you can see Gurusina village and the ladder that substituted the one that is for sale. I can also provide more pictures. But if really interested please contact me and I will give you a quotation. Please have a look at my collection, I will be adding new items almost daily.

Pictures I took on the field, with the item stock in the basement of the Ngada house. The item "Threshold ladder from traditional Ngada house Gurusina- Flores middle 20th c" is in sale since Sunday, April 29, 2018. This item is in the category "Antiques\Ethnographic\Pacific Islands & Oceania".

The seller is "magellan9" and is located in Borgatello. This item can't be shipped, the buyer must pick up the item.

• Material: Wood
• Color: Brown
• Original/Reproduction: Original
• Culture:: Ngada