Birthing Hampatong

Sculpture
Ot Danum or Ngadju Dayak, Central Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo
Mid 20th Century
Hardwood
Height: 175 cm
Provenance:
Hj. Syamsuddin collection
Georgia Kan collection

This exceptionally rare Birthing hampatong served to protect the longhouse and ensure fertility.
The sculptor captures the moment a baby is coming into the world...
We see a figure seated on a Chinese Ming jar, face with an extended tongue that serves as a frightening threat.
There are animal totems on the head, one broken and restored.
Note fine curvilinear carving on base below.

Object Presented by:
Thomas Murray
M.: + 1 415.378.0716