Lot #035

Decorated Shield, Dayak People, Borneo Island, Indonesia

Early 20th-century shield (known as a kliau or klebit), Mualang-Dayak people, West Kalimantan, Borneo Island, Indonesia.

Honey-colored wood with black and red-brown pigments outlining the features of protective creatures on the shield’s front and back. A large-eyed and fanged face (udo) on the shield’s front is believed to do opponents actual harm while that on the shield’s reverse (aso) is thought to encourage and protect its owner.

Carved from a single piece of lightweight wood and having three rattan reinforcements across both the top and bottom. Lengthwise grip at the center of the slightly curved back protrudes from another relief-carved design element.

PROVENANCE


Mark A. Johnson

Private Collection, Boston, MA (purchased from above, 2009)

Dimensions

60″ x 15″ x 3″

Weight

5 lbs

Estimate

$2000-3000

Starting bid

$1000

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