Wood, presumably iron wood
Dayak peoples, Borneo, Indonesia, circa 1900
Sculpturally carved figure standing on a round plinth
The face with protruding eyes, slightly open mouth and beard
High elaborate headdress adorned with ornate leaves
Holding a smaller figures upside-down in front of the body
Deep weathering patina of age
Mounted on a high plinth
Height: 104 cm
Provenance: ex-collection Heinrich Harrer, Austria

The carved anthropomorphic ancestor figures of the Dayak are generally referred to as ‘hampatong’. They are placed at the entrance of houses, at sacred shrines and also in front of the chief’s home, as a protection against evil spirits, diseases and enemies. During funerals and mortuary feasts ‘hampatong’ is also set up for the deceased.



The sculpture was formerly in the collection of the Austrian mountaineer Heinrich Harrer (1912-2006) and may have been acquired during Harrer’s stay in Borneo in 1971/72.



Condition:

The figure shows distinctive traces of weathering, losses due to insect damage and age cracks. The height measure 104 cm.

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