Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Borneo, Dayak culture, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. This is a beautiful hand-carved wooden protective hampatong guardian in the form of an anthropomorphic figure, atop a spiked base. The stylized person stands on thick legs with the slender arms resting upon his knees. The visage consists of slight protuberances as the nose and ears, and the eyes and mouth are etched into the surface. The head has a flattened knob as a coiffure or headdress, and the wood throughout has a lovely silky smooth and dark patina. Hampatongs of this size were placed outside entrances or as markers for fields and graves as protective, guardian spirits, and the spike on this example could easily rest in the ground with the figure standing upright. Size: 1.25" W x 13.35" H (3.2 cm x 33.9 cm); 14" H (35.6 cm) on included custom stand.
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, 1995 to 2010
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#168424
Condition
Intact and excellent. Minor surface abrasions to body. Pinhole size cavities and small groove on the spiked tip from old insect activity. Great patina throughout.