Borneo Dayak Tunjung Charm Figure

Borneo Dayak Tunjung Charm Figure

Origin: Dayak Tunjung, East Kalimantan, Borneo
Material: wood
Dimensions: H 33 × W 26 × D 9 cm  Height with stand – 35 cm / 476g

A striking and highly expressive Dayak Tunjung (Tonyoi) charm figure from East Kalimantan, Borneo, distinguished by its elongated proportions, emphatically raised arms, and remarkably animated facial expression.

Carved from a single piece of wood, the figure presents a simplified yet powerful human form. The rounded head features deeply incised eyes, a projecting nose and a slightly parted mouth, giving the face an arresting, almost otherworldly presence. The slender body and dramatically extended arms create a sense of movement, while the irregularity of the carving and visible tool marks preserve the immediacy of its indigenous workmanship.

The figure’s restrained anatomical treatment is characteristic of the powerful visual language found in traditional Dayak carving, where gesture, posture and spiritual presence take precedence over naturalistic representation. Its uplifted arms and frontal stance lend the sculpture a particularly commanding silhouette, suggesting a figure engaged in invocation, protection or communication with the unseen world.

Such carved figures were associated with the spiritual and protective traditions of Dayak communities, functioning as material embodiments of ancestral or supernatural forces rather than merely decorative representations. The considerable age and handling evident in the darkened surface, worn contours and naturally developed patina further enhance its character as an object of cultural

Price include custom stand and shipping worldwide by DHL.