Mark A. Johnson Tribal Art

1850: Altar. Medium wood, pigments. H: 28" (71 cm), W: 17.5" (44.5 cm), D: 13" (33 cm). Mid 20th century. Unknown Iban artist. Sarawak State, Borneo Island, Malaysia.

Home altar with duel figures, one dragon, the other a warrior/deity. There is a snake wrapped around the body and neck of the warrior figure. The platform in front of the figures was used to hold ritual offerings. Purchased from the family of a Welsh pilot who worked for Malayan Airways (now: Malaysian Airlines) in the 1950s. According to the family history, the pilot often stayed in Kuching and traveled throughout Sarawak. He was gifted this altar from an Iban family that he befriended during this time. The condition is very good.