3945

Enquiry about object: 3945

    Your First Name (required)

    Your Last Name (required)

    Your Email (required)

    Your Country (required)

    Your Message

    Pair of Man’s Solid Brass Spiral Ear Ornaments

    Kenyah/Kayan Dayak People, Sarawak, Borneo
    19th century

    diameter: 2.6cm, combined weight: 90g

    Available - Enquire

    Provenance

    Acquired in the UK, from the estate collection of Dr George Yuille Caldwell (1924-2016). Dr Caldwell, an English-born physician moved to Singapore in the 1950s, from where he built up a collection of mostly Borneo-related textiles and other ethnographica.

    – scroll down to see further images –

    Ear ornaments of brass were signs of prestige and power. This pair of Kenyah Dayak solid cast brass ornaments of spiral form meant for a man weigh about 45 grams each and as such are both ear pendants and weights, designed to help stretch the earlobes to exaggerated lengths.

    They also have a superb smoothness and dark-golden patina that has come from years of handling and wear.

    Earrings of this size and weight would have been reserved for a person of significant prestige.

    A related, single ear pendant of spiral form is illustrated in Hoeket al(2004, p. 228).

    The examples here are in fine condition, and have a good ‘feel’ in the hand from age and wear.

    References

    Brinkgreve, F., & D.J. Stuart-Fox (eds), Living with Indonesian Art: The Frits Liefkes Collection, Rijksmuseum Volkenkunde, 2013.

    Hoek, C., et al, Ethnic Jewellery: From Africa, Asia and Pacific Islands, Pepin Press, 2004.

    Richter, A., The Jewelry of Southeast Asia, Thames & Hudson, 2000.

    Rodgers, S., Power and Gold: Jewelry from Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, The Barbier-Mueller Museum, Geneva, 3rd ed. 1995.

    Dozens of items are added to our website each month. Be among the first to know about them.
     
    Sign up to our monthly catalogue