Old Sarawak Ironwood Kenyah Orang Ulu Carving

This exquisite carving, made from durable and richly textured ironwood, showcases the masterful craftsmanship of the Kenyah people, part of the Orang Ulu communities of Sarawak, Borneo. The figure depicts a traditional Kenyah headhunter, a central figure in their tribal culture, with detailed attention to physical and symbolic attributes.

The headhunter is portrayed with elongated ear lobes, a hallmark of the Kenyah and Orang Ulu tradition, symbolizing beauty, wisdom, and social status. His body is adorned with intricate tattoos, reflecting his achievements, personal identity, and spiritual protection, as tattoos held deep cultural significance among the Kenyah. He wears a traditional loincloth, intricately carved to reflect his tribal attire.

In his hands, he carries a water vase, a vessel vital to daily life and symbolic of life-giving sustenance. Perched on top of the vase are two small figures, representing his offspring—a poignant depiction of family, legacy, and the continuity of his lineage. This detail emphasizes the Kenyah’s reverence for ancestry, generational ties, and the nurturing role of warriors in protecting and providing for their families.

The carving is both a work of art and a cultural narrative, likely created to honor the legacy of headhunting traditions, which historically symbolized bravery, protection, and spiritual harmony within the community. Collected from a local Private collector in the 1980s. Estimated to be made in The early 1960s in Sarawak, Baram Area.

H – 44 x 10 x 8 cm / 1.067 kg

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