Dart Container Clip
West Borneo, Indonesia
Early 20th c.
Provenance: Rodger Dashow collection, Boston
Published: “Indonesian Tribal Art”, 2015, pg. 247.
Craved from a single piece of wood, this dart clip was attached to a bamboo container that held poison darts. The forked bottom allowed the hunter to clip the Dart container to his waist or belt for easy transport. The finial, which probably also served as a handle, depicts a squatting human figure, like those seen on tuntun, with a coned cap, slit eyes and an open mouth that gives the impression he is laughing. A curved piece of rattan with its end carved in the shape of an aso head has been wrapped around the legs of the figure, it most likely served as an amulet for protection and success in hunting.
Dart Container Clip
West Borneo, Indonesia
Early 20th c.
Provenance: Rodger Dashow collection, Boston
Published: “Indonesian Tribal Art”, 2015, pg. 247.
Craved from a single piece of wood, this dart clip was attached to a bamboo container that held poison darts. The forked bottom allowed the hunter to clip the Dart container to his waist or belt for easy transport. The finial, which probably also served as a handle, depicts a squatting human figure, like those seen on tuntun, with a coned cap, slit eyes and an open mouth that gives the impression he is laughing. A curved piece of rattan with its end carved in the shape of an aso head has been wrapped around the legs of the figure, it most likely served as an amulet for protection and success in hunting.