Poison Container

Dayak, East Borneo, Indonesia
Early 20th c.

Provenance: Rodger Dashow collection, Boston

This finely crafted poison container, used by the Dayak of East Borneo, is a striking example of utilitarian sculpture elevated to art. The vessel itself is fashioned from a smooth, burnished gourd with a rich reddish-brown patina, likely developed from prolonged handling and age. Containers of this sort were used to store potent toxins, often derived from tree bark or plant extracts, to tip blowpipe darts for hunting or warfare. What distinguishes this example is the intricately carved wooden stopper, which takes the form of a stylized demon or protective spirit. The snub-nosed head features deeply incised teeth, bulging eyes framed by bold circular motifs, and curvilinear facial markings rendered in black pigment—hallmarks of Dayak design. The menacing expression was likely intentional, serving an apotropaic function to protect the contents and ward off malevolent forces. The base of the stopper is wrapped with a finely plaited rattan collar, securing it tightly to the neck of the vessel. A twisted fiber cord is attached to the top, which would have suspended the container from a larger bamboo tube that held the darts themselves.