Items Similar to Fine Jelutong Wood Borneo Dayak Kliau or Shield, First Half of the 19th Century
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 3
Fine Jelutong Wood Borneo Dayak Kliau or Shield, First Half of the 19th Century
About the Item
A fine Jelutong wood Dayak Kliau or shield
Indonesia, Borneo, Kalimantan, first half of the 19th century
Measures: H. 126 x W. 36 cm
The kliau or klebit is the most popular shield amongst the Dayak of Kalimantan. Together with its massive grip, it is usually carved from a single piece of soft, light jelutong wood. The grip is located lengthwise in the centre of the shield, which is slightly curved both in width and lengthwise. It is usually strengthened in width with rattan strips to prevent the wood from splitting when struck by a sword. The front of the shield, with traces of human hair, is decorated in various colours showing a stylised boar-like creature or udo with large eyes and teeth, to frighten the opponent. The back is decorated with god-like dogs, aso, to encourage the fighter. This particular shield has a very deep brown patina and traces of usage in battle. Fighting and war was an essential part of Dayak culture, who often, driven by belief in curses, marched for war against a neighbouring tribe. The Dayak believed that the paintings on the shields not only frightened their opponent but actually harmed them. Hair of a fallen opponent was stuck to the shield to give it extra power. When the shield broke, as the present one, it was hung in the longhouse as decoration.
Provenance: Dutch private collection since the 1940s
We are grateful to Mr. P. van Drumpt for is assistance in writing this catalogue entry.
- Dimensions:Height: 49.61 in (126 cm)Width: 14.18 in (36 cm)Depth: 5.91 in (15 cm)
- Style:Tribal (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1800-1850
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. 1 break from top to bottom has been set.
- Seller Location:Amsterdam, NL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5458222093312
About the Seller
5.0
Vetted Seller
These experienced sellers undergo a comprehensive evaluation by our team of in-house experts.
Established in 1985
1stDibs seller since 2020
19 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 3 hours
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- Polychrome Wood Model of an Indonesian Toraja Dwelling or Tongkonan, C. 1900Located in Amsterdam, NLA polychrome wood model of a Toraja dwelling or tongkonan Indonesia, Sulawesi, Tana Toraja, early 20th century H. 60 x L. 94 x D. 33 cm Provenance: - Seminary Rosa Stichting, Nijmegen - Instituut voor Kulturele Antropologie van de Katholieke Universiteit, Nijmegen - With Michel Thieme...Category
Early 20th Century Indonesian Architectural Models
MaterialsWood
- 18th Century Polynesian Ironwood Gata Waka or War Club from FijiLocated in Amsterdam, NLA Polynesian ironwood Gata waka or war club Fiji, probably 18th century or earlier Measures: Height. 97 cm Including museum-quality powder-coated stand. Provenance: Private collection, France Polynesian culture is traditionally a culture of power and prestige, and there was a fine line between battle and ceremony. Warrior people par excellence, the Fijians had at their disposal a large panoply of weapons, each for a specific use. The elegant Gata are called gun-sticks by Europeans due to the recognizable form. However, they are designed after a snake, gata in Fijian language. The Ula throwing clubs...Category
Antique 18th Century Fijian Tribal Art
MaterialsHardwood
- 18th Century Polynesian Hardwood Ula Tavatava or Throwing War Club from FijiLocated in Amsterdam, NLA Polynesian hardwood Ula tavatava or throwing war club Fiji, probably 18th century All-over decorated in incised pattern, the bulbous top seems to have a stone grown into it. H. 42 cm Including museum-quality powder-coated stand. Provenance: Private collection, France Polynesian culture is traditionally a culture of power and prestige, and there was a fine line between battle and ceremony. Warrior people par excellence, the Fijians had at their disposal a large panoply of weapons, each for a specific use. The elegant Gata are called gun-sticks by Europeans due to the recognizable form. However, they are designed after a snake, gata in Fijian language. The Ula throwing clubs...Category
Antique 18th Century Fijian Tribal Art
MaterialsHardwood
- Early Papua Korwar Ancestor Figure, Early 19th Century, Deep Black-Brown PatinaLocated in Amsterdam, NLAn extremely rare Papua wood sculpture of a Korwar Papua New Guinea, Cendrawasih Bay, Wandammen, early 19th century Measures: Height 24 x Diameter 18 cm Finely carved in th...Category
Antique Early 19th Century Indonesian Tribal Tribal Art
MaterialsWood
- Fine Dutch Colonial Djati Bench, First Half of the 18th CenturyLocated in Amsterdam, NLA fine small Indonesian, possibly Ambonese, Djati wood bench First half of the 18th century The back splat elaborately carved in scrolling foliate and floral motif, the plain, ...Category
Antique Early 18th Century Indonesian Dutch Colonial Furniture
MaterialsCane, Hardwood
- Large Brazilian or Guyana Amazon Indigenous Macana War Club, 18th or EarlierLocated in Amsterdam, NLA splendid and rare Amazon indigenous wamara wood Macana war-club Southern-Guyana or Northern Brazil, Wapitxana group of the Aruak peoples, 18th century, possibly earlier Measure: H. 43 cm The deep patina of the club present, and the residue on the part where it was held, attest to its great age. This unusually large Macana is decorated with several incised whitened anthropomorphic and human figures, a decoration only found on one other documented club in the British Museum, which is illustrated in: Hjalmar Stolpe, Amazon Indian...Category
Antique Early 18th Century Brazilian Native American Objects
MaterialsHardwood
You May Also Like
- 19th Century Bronze Coin with Silver Bezel Earrings by JewelsLocated in Point Richmond, CA19th Century Bronze Coin with Silver Bezel Earrings by Jewels of Santa Fe/Marrakesh A pair of earrings made by Jewels with bronze coins from Morocco and Egypt set in silver bezels a...Category
Antique 19th Century Moroccan Tribal Tribal Art
MaterialsSilver, Bronze
- Late 19th to Early 20th Century Silver Wire Serpent Bracelet, Rajasthan, IndiaLocated in Point Richmond, CALate 19th to Early 20th Century Silver Wire Serpent Bracelet, Rajasthan, India A substantial silver cuff made of wire bent in the shape of a serpent, these bracelets were worn on th...Category
Antique Late 19th Century Indian Tribal Tribal Art
MaterialsSilver
- 19th Century Brass Pendant on Yellow Multi-Strand Beaded Necklace, Naga, IndiaLocated in Point Richmond, CA19th century brass pendant on yellow multi-strand beaded necklace, Naga, India A graceful necklace of small yellow glass trade beads bead...Category
Early 20th Century Indian Tribal Tribal Art
MaterialsBrass
- 19th Century Carved Indian Carnival God Figure, Polychrome Paint on StandLocated in Los Angeles, CAInteresting 19th century carved figure with polychrome decoration. Unique coloration and dance position with arm raised. Considerable losses consistent with age, but flaking seems ...Category
Antique 19th Century Indian Primitive Religious Items
MaterialsWood, Paint
- Bankes Obelisk, England, Ashford Black Marble, First Half of the 19th CenturyLocated in Greding, DESo-called Bankes obelisk made of black marble ("Ashford Black"), after the obelisk of Philae, which William John Bankes acquired shortly afterwards after...Category
Antique Early 19th Century English Grand Tour Architectural Models
MaterialsMarble
- 20th Century Pair of Enamel and Silver Bracelets, MoroccoLocated in Point Richmond, CA20th century pair of enamel and silver bracelets, Morocco A beautiful pair of enamel and silver bracelets from Morocco. There may be a little gilding on the red enameled pyramidal...Category
Early 2000s Moroccan Tribal Tribal Art
MaterialsSilver, Enamel
