Indonesian Open-work Wooden Cockspur Case Carved with Wayang Figures

 

This carved wooden box comprises three hinged wings (two outer wings and a middle, interior wing) which open to reveal places for the long, steel spurs used in cock fighting to be stored. The case is carved on both sides with elongated wayang (shadow puppet) figures dressed with leafy sarongs and standing on leafy ground. The interior wing is carved with a long-snouted crocodile.

Most such cases have just one compartment for storing the spurs, but this example has four.

Cockspur cases were made and used in many parts of Indonesia, but this example comes from Lombok, an island adjacent to Bali.

Cockfighting has been integral to the cultures of Bali and Lombok and the practice was only banned on Bali as late as 1981. It was a sport pursued by men and was tied in with religious rituals as well as gambling.

Cock spurs (taji) were regarded in similar terms as the blades for a kris and chanting a mantra while forging a spur was believed to imbue it with magical power. Other rules related to the taji – they should be forged during a new moon, menstruating women were not permitted to even look a taji, nor could one be touched by anyone who had a family member that had recently died (van Donk, 2000).

Similar Lombok examples are illustrated in (van Donk, 2000, p. 99, 130 & 131.

The case has a superb, deep patina and very evident age. It is without chips or repairs.