Mark A. Johnson Tribal Art

2961: Guardian Figure. Ironwood, pigments, beads. L: 42”, H: 26”, W: 24” (at wings).
Mid 20th century. Ngaju Dayak complex, Borneo Island (south-western area), Indonesia.
The figure represents a water snake with the wings of a hornbill, morphing important lower and
upper world motifs. It was placed on top of the ancestral shrine to protect and guide the soul on their journey to the afterlife.