Early 20th century. Borneo. Wood polychrome. 221 x 125 cm. This monumental piece is a rare and early example of the Iban belief, where hornbills are associated with the upper world and functioned as intermediaries between Singalong Burung, the mythological ancestor, and the human world. This elaborately carved bird would have been adorned with jewelry, clothes and offerings of food, and paraded on long poles to transfer messages to the upper world. The ceremony was originally the symbolic start of headhunting raids but today has been incorporated into rice harvest celebrations. (VJ) Provenance: An important Belgian collection. Exhibited in the Nusantara Museum, Delft/The Netherlands, 'Dayak' January 2000.
Early 20th century. Borneo. Wood polychrome. 221 x 125 cm. This monumental piece is a rare and early example of the Iban belief, where hornbills are associated with the upper world and functioned as intermediaries between Singalong Burung, the mythological ancestor, and the human world. This elaborately carved bird would have been adorned with jewelry, clothes and offerings of food, and paraded on long poles to transfer messages to the upper world. The ceremony was originally the symbolic start of headhunting raids but today has been incorporated into rice harvest celebrations. (VJ) Provenance: An important Belgian collection. Exhibited in the Nusantara Museum, Delft/The Netherlands, 'Dayak' January 2000.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
