Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Java / Borneo, Dayak peoples, ca. early to mid 20th century CE. A fascinating ensemble of 4 hand-carved wooden artifacts. The first and largest of the examples exhibits the finely-sculpted profile of an anthropomorphic figure in stride. Dressed in a plaid, knee-length skirt, the intriguing figure rests both hands atop its bulbous belly and presents a zoomorphic head with a long beak topped by a helmet-like headdress. Another wooden figure is also shown standing, but features a slender body with gently bent legs, a lengthy torso, and an oblong head. This nude figure holds both hands at his hips as he looks out from annular, incised eyes above a rectangular nose and a pointed chin with an elongated beard. Enveloped in a deep hue of expresso, the third piece displays a female figure kneeling and holding a drum with her hair tied back in a bow. Size of largest: 1" W x 4.875" H (2.5 cm x 12.4 cm); 5.5" H (14 cm) on included custom stand.
Her sizable head is supported by a thick, tubular neck above a pair of pointed breasts and presents close-set eyes beneath an arched brow, a button nose, and an open, ovoid mouth, all flanked by a pair of large ears. The last skillfully-carved example may have previously served as an amulet or a handle for pig traps and exhibits the form of an anthropomorphic head with a heavy brow and a tapered neck.
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-Ami Brown collection, New York City, USA, acquired from 1950 to 1970
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#162999
Condition
Stable fissures, abrasions and nicks or chips to largest, second largest, and smallest. Second smallest has a small nick to back and a few lightly abraded areas. Otherwise, all are intact and very nice with lovely patina.