Rare Majapahit lead votive artifact/trade weight: 'The Double-Sided Tree of Life' (13th - 16th Century)., itemnumber: W5143

This exceptional lead artifact offers a unique window into the spiritual and commercial world of the Majapahit Golden Age. Featuring the sacred "Tree of Life" motif on both sides, this piece is a remarkable example of ancient Javanese craftsmanship, where functional trade objects were often imbued with deep cosmological meaning.

The Gunungan (Tree of Life): The front is deeply embossed with a crisp, rhythmic herringbone pattern representing the Gunungan or World Mountain. In Indonesian culture, this symbol marks the center of the universe and the source of all life.
Mystical Reverse: Upon closer inspection, the reverse side reveals a faint, hauntingly secondary impression of the same sacred tree. This dual-sided decoration suggests the object was more than a mere weight; it likely served as a ceremonial amulet representing cosmic balance and spiritual protection.
Cast from solid lead, the piece possesses a genuine, thick archaeological patina with natural cooling ripples and casting marks on the edges, confirming its centuries-long burial in the Indonesian earth.
In the bustling maritime networks of the Majapahit Empire, lead and tin bars like this were used as a form of "bullion currency." Their value was determined by weight, while the sacred motifs verified the integrity and origin of the metal.
Specifications
Origin: Java/Sumatra, Indonesia.
Period: Majapahit Empire era (c. 1293–1527).
Material: Solid lead with a rich, aged patina.
Dimensions: 27 x 14 x 8 mm.
Weight: 22.0 grams.

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