Enquiry about object: 5766
Dayak Carved Wooden Demon Stopper
Dayak People, Borneo, Malaysia 19th century
height (with stand): 12.5cm, width: 5cm, weight (without stand): 61g
Provenance
Private collection, UK
This very charming carved wooden stopper is carved as a crouching demon tiger-type figure.
The figure has been carved with teeth bared, and has white glass inserts for eyes.
Such stoppers were used to close bamboo containers that held powdered lime that was an integral part of the betel quid.
A related stopper is illustrated in Schoffel (1981, p. 150).
The wood has a black-brown encrusted patina. There are plenty of signs of age and use.
It comes with a high-quality custom-made metal stand.
References
Schoffel, A., Arts Primitifs de l’Asie du Sud-Est (Assam, Sumatra, Borneo, Philippines): Collection Alain Schoffel, Alain et Francoise Chaffin, 1981.
