Bamboo Medicine Container

Ngaju Dayak, Borneo, Indonesia
Early 20th c.

Provenance: Rodger Dashow Collection, Boston

A rare example of unusually small size, this bamboo medicine container has a finely carved wooden stopper in the form of an aso. Its elongated, upward-curling snout, open jaws, and sharply defined teeth give the small head a powerful presence. Deep openings through the carving emphasize its sweeping contours, while a metal ring encircles the neck.
The bamboo is incised with narrow bands of repeating geometric ornament, including ladder-like rows of small rectangles, angular chevrons, and curving linear motifs. These delicate patterns complement the bold sculpture of the stopper. Both wood and bamboo show a dark, varied patina, with worn areas revealing warmer brown tones beneath.