The terracotta art of Majapahit

• Main Author: Siddhartha, Hildawati Soemantri
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Subjects: art history; asian history; fine arts

This dissertation explores the terracotta art of Majapahit, a hitherto neglected aspect of ancient Javanese art, sadly overlooked because of an attitude which relegated it to a "lesser" art.
This study starts with a general look at Majapahit and high-lights the aspects important to understand the cultural background that inspires this art. It looks at the study of Majaphit, its political and social background, and the artistic sphere that sets the stage for the terracotta art. The versatility of material and ingenious way of resolving artistic problems is also examined. It then attempts to classify the scattered figurines into categories, and to build a network of relationships by which to "read" the Majapahit civilization.
Through analysis of the technical aspects which point to a highly sensitive and versatile way of interpreting a subject-matter, and through examination of literature and the study of temple reliefs, two broad categories are defined. One in which the objects are inspired by literary sources, and another in which the objects are created as result of direct observation. The sub-categories which emerge within these two main categories define Majapahit's broad range of interest: fashion, foreigners, spiritual matters, vendors, entertainers, common people, noble persons, children, animals, and buildings. The function of these figurines, as architectural decoration, as money-banks, or toys, suggest a wide range of patrons: aristocrats who adorn their pavilions with terracotta sculptures, and common people who cherished the simpler figurines.
Ancient east Javanese art has been labelled decorative and stylized, but as the figurines demonstrate we now see that it also definitely employs realism.
The terracotta art of Majapahit is a testimony both to the creative genius of their craftsmen who were capable of expressing the different moods of their society, and to the affluence, prosperity and highly cultured civilization of Majapahit.