Tattoo Pattern

P214

From: Borneo | Sarawak

Curatorial Section: Oceanian

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Object Number P214
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. Pattern is an example of what Furness identified as "kala asu," scorpion dog, for a man's forearm or upper thigh, and by by Hose and Shelford as a "Kayan dog design."

Length 11.6 cm
Width 6.4 cm
Thickness 1.1 cm
Credit Line Gift of Dr. William H. Furness 3rd., 1898

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