Toraja Mandala Disc — Sulawesi Spirit

There are objects made for walls, and then there are objects that transform them. This is the latter.

Carved by hand in Indonesia from a single round of solid timber, the carving vocabulary is unmistakably rooted in the Toraja tradition of Sulawesi — one of the most sophisticated decorative languages in the archipelago. The spiral motifs, known in Torajan culture as pa'barre allo, are symbols of the sun and the continuity of life. The diamond and cross forms speak to protection and ancestral connection. In the original tradition, these markings were carved into the facades of tongkonan clan houses, where they functioned as a visual declaration of a family's place in the world. Here, that same visual force is concentrated into a circle — a format that amplifies the mandala-like quality of the composition and gives it an almost hypnotic pull.

The two-tone finish — raw timber carved lines against an ebony-stained ground — creates extraordinary contrast and depth. In natural light, the piece glows. In low evening light, it becomes something more atmospheric still.

Hang it as a singular statement. It needs nothing around it.

Handcrafted. One of a kind.

Dimensions: 90cm Diameter

As this item is handmade, slight imperfections are part of the design and are not considered a fault. 

Pickup is available for this item or contact info@frederickeandcoe.com for a quote on shipping within Australia.  International shipping is not available for this item.