A rare 19th/20th century Dayak Hampatong fetish figure

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A rare 19th/20th century Dayak Hampatong fetish figure

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Sold Date: 02/22/2008
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Ethnic, Folk & Native American Art

"The primitive arts in Indonesia and the Philippines and the arts of Melanesia and Polynesia form a triptych, of which it is impossible to separate the panels without compromising any true understanding of the Malayo-Polynesian world, including also Madagascar." (Jean-Paul Barbier in "L'Or des îles")...yet how dilatory we have been in studying this immense region, with no fewer than 13,000 islands scattered over nearly 2,000 square miles--some huge, such as Borneo, others tiny, such as Lombok. Far from forming separate, rigidly defined entities, these 'microsocieties' of ancient seafaring peoples have frequently shared the same customs and rituals, including head-hunting, the use of communal houses or chief's houses, and above all ancestor worship. Yet the history of these 'primitive' Asian populations is peppered with more doubts than certainties, and it would be futile (if not presumptuos) to make any claims to an exhaustive study of their artistic output. What exactly do we know, for instance, about the tribes conveniently lumped together under the name Dayak, whose works are found in numerous museums and private collections? Collected in Borneo these pieces are seductive in their 'savage beauty', but according to ethnologists, the great majority of them will remain forever silent with regard to their original context. But, their aura of mystery apart, it is impossible not to be lost in admiration in front of the virtuos workmanship of these shields with their curvilinear decoration, of these tombs in the form of houses, or of these powerful wooden posts and panels over which swarms a bestiary intended to ward off evil. At a time when the penetration of Islam into even the remotest villages on the island means inevitably that these cultures will be destroyed within the next few decades, we should be grateful to the collectors who over the years have saved from destruction and oblivion the tens of thousands of objects now preserved in the West. The systematic study of these pieces will perhaps enable ethnologists to provide the answers to many as yet unanswered questions.

An exceptionnaly fine, small Hampatong protector figure, stylized possibly in the form of a monkey. An outstanding genuine piece of primitive art from Kalimantan. Large works of this type were guarded in ceremonial houses. Families owned smaller sculptures, such this one, that were given names and recognized as spirits that could benefit both the family and the village community. Executed with great artistry, this carving is one of the best Hampatong objects I have ever seen. Very well carved, in absolute sublime condition, with traces of polychrome pigments and Conus shells inlay for eyes. Old display stand mounted. The figure measures 15 inches tall incl. wooden base. Old inventory number on base, handmade written with black ink: "579.06 N.Stein" ( indicating the name of the person that collected it from the field ? )

It coming formerly from an german collection of tribal artifacts. I do not have specific information about the origin, but perhaps the Dayak Bahau peoples from West Kalimantan would have created such an ritual object. It is very unusual and I cannot the story behind this one, presumably this piece was commissioned by a foreigner during the colonial period in Dutch India. This example was acquired in Berlin in the early 1970's through a german experienced collector friend. It's difficult to define the exact age of this sculpture. He had been determined it to date approx 100 years old.

If you have any questions please email me before close of auction in enough time for a response and I will do my best to answer them for you, if and when I can.

Good luck with your bids and thank you for looking.