Tattoo Pattern

P205

From: Borneo | Sarawak

Curatorial Section: Oceanian

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Object Number P205
Current Location Collections Storage
Culture Kayan
Provenience Borneo | Sarawak
Date Made ca. 1897
Section Oceanian
Materials Wood
Description

Flat piece of wood carved to leave a pattern in high relief. The block is inked and pressed onto the skin as a guide for the tattooing. Design is what Hose and Shelford identify as a "Kayan dog design (udoh asu) for thighs of men," Furness identifies it as the Kenyah "kala asu,' or "scorpion dog design," for a man's forearm or thigh. Similar to a block identified by Hose and Shelford as a "Kayan dog design." A single pattern, for a man's forearm or thigh. From a tatu-block in the Sarawak Museum.

Length 10.6 cm
Width 6 cm
Thickness 1.1 cm
Credit Line Gift of Dr. William H. Furness 3rd., 1898

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