1: A very beautiful, old shield of the Kenyah Kayan Dayak people, called ‘Kelebit’. Carved from a piece of wood in the typical shape (including the handle on the back), with four sewn-on reinforcements made of rattan stripes, as well as painted on the front and back with natural black and red colours:
in the centre of the front side is the mask of a large ‘monster’ with pointed fangs painted on in order to scare off the enemy and to protect the warrior who held the shield. Two further ‘monster’ masks with fangs are visible on both pointed ends of the shield. All components are arranged symmetrically with hornbill’s heads and mythical dragon dogs (‘Aso’), as well as with numerous curves, spikes, volutes, and spirals combined to form a painted ‘picture’. The back of shield displays eight depictions of the ‘Aso’ motif (mythical dragon dog), arranged symmetrically on the left and right, as well as with a plethora of double and simple spirals, volutes, curved bands and spikes combined to form a black, red and light brown ‘picture’. The eight ‘Aso dragons’ are intended to protect the warrior who carries the shield. The handle, which is carved out from the same piece, displays a good, comparatively old usage patina on the back, as well as on all of the outer edges. This type of shield of the Kenyah Kayan Dayak people is rare in such complete, good condition, and displays no significant damage.
Height: 120.5 cm; width: c. 37 cm.
2: A matching lance (or spear), with a long, straight shaft made of black hardwood, and a locally-forged, double-edged iron blade shaped like a lancet. The blade is slightly flared in its plinth, then retracted and decorated. On both sides it displays a thickened ridge, and each side next to the ridge has two curved lines as decoration. On the upper section on the side, the shaft is fitted and attached with a longer, original, old, woven binding made of rattan strips. An object with good patina, only slight damage to the binding (some rattan bands torn due to age), but in absolutely original condition.
Length: c. 218 cm.
Both objects in this mixed lot: 19th century.

Provenance:
Pursuant to information supplied by the consignor, both objects in this mixed lot were purchased by a traveller ‘in situ’ in Indonesia around 1900, since then: Austrian private collection. (ME)

Lit.:
‘Headhunters & Woodcarvers. Vanishing Dayak Cultures from Borneo’ by Francois Coppens, ill. 10; ‘Beyond the Java Sea’ by Paul M. Taylor & Lorraine V. Aragon, ill. p. 167. Lit.:
‘Hornbill and Dragon’ by Bernard Sellato, p. 137, ill. 119.