Kavel 3527

Indonesia, bronze decorated caping (48.70 g.) originating from Sumatra. Capings are heart-shaped modesty plates that were worn by infant girls and sometimes boys among the Malays, Bugis and other indigenous Southeast Asian groups as a substitute for clothing. They were worn suspended by chains from the waist. They tended to be made from different materials according to the ranks of the wearers. Gold was reserved for the nobility, silver for dignitaries, and plates made of brass, copper or coconut shell for commoners. Babies tended to wear capings once they could stand, something that was often accompanied by a simple ceremony. Interesting original ethnological item, VF