Hampatong, Guardian Figure

Tunjung Dayak, Borneo, Indonesia
19th-early 20th c

Provenance: Guy Dulon collection, Paris, acquired in the 1980’s. By descent to family

Hampatong is the collective name for carved wooden ancestor figures among the Dayak in Borneo. This superb female Hampatong has a diminutive face with an incredibly sublime expression. Some of the other inventive details include, claw like fingers that seamlessly morph into the body and a carved dowry necklace that drapes in relief on its chest. Its flexed legs and elongated body reminds one of an iconic Alberto Giacometti sculpture. The patina is exceptional; deep and weathered in areas with lichen deposits found all over the figure.