Mark A. Johnson Tribal Art

2872: Ancestral Figure. Ironwood. H: 36" (91.5 cm). Carbon date pending, but before the 19th century. Unknown Dayak group, near Serian, Sarawak-Kalimantan border, Borneo Island.

Rare type found in a cave in western Borneo. The figure stands with a slight bend to the knees, hands resting on hips, suggesting the elbows were bent back (the arm section between the hands and shoulders had broken away in antiquity). The expression is simple, but aggressive, with only a suggestion of eyes (originally, there may have been shells added for the eyes). The figure appears to be wearing a head dress. The surface is worn to an ancient dry black patina. It is likely the piece is hundreds of years old, as were three other related examples found in caves in the same area.