Borneo Dayak Iban Ironwood Spinning wheel

Borneo Dayak Iban Ironwood Spinning wheel

Region: Borneo (Sarawak / West Kalimantan)
Material: Belian wood (Eusideroxylon zwageri, Bornean ironwood)

Technique: Hand-carved, assembled
Function: Textile production (spinning fiber into thread)
Dimensions: H 46 × W 60 × D 40 cm
Weight: 3.95 kg

This Dayak Iban spinning wheel is a traditional textile tool carved from belian wood, a dense and highly durable hardwood valued throughout Borneo for its strength and longevity. The object is constructed around a horizontal axle supporting a multi-spoked wheel, mounted on a solid rectangular base. Fine fiber cords interlace the spokes, creating tension necessary for spinning and reflecting a refined understanding of balance and movement.

An anthropomorphic figure carved into the vertical support is a distinctive feature of this piece. Rendered in a stylized manner characteristic of Dayak Iban visual language, the figure likely symbolizes ancestral presence or spiritual protection. Such carvings emphasize the close relationship between daily labor, ritual belief, and cultural identity within Iban society.

The surface of the belian wood exhibits a deep, dark patina developed through age and use, with visible tool marks evidencing hand craftsmanship. Both utilitarian and sculptural, this spinning wheel stands as an important example of Dayak Iban material culture

Price include shipping by DHL.