Seated figure "hampatong" ·  Indonesia - Borneo, Dayak · ID: 3042097

Description

wood, stained greyish brown patina, sacrificial traces, insect caused damage (hollowed inside), traces of weathering, cracks, rest.;
“hampatong” are placed in front of longhouse entrances or other places where malevolent spirits are likely to appear. They are also erected in shrine areas “tajahan”, which is a small sacred area containing a sacrificial shrine surrounded by “hampatong”. There are two kinds of “tajahan”, one set up in connection with headhunting and another for mortuary feasts. At a mortuary feast a “hampatong” is set up for each dead person. “Hampatong” are thus images of named ancestors. They are also erected in the village square in a sanctuary “pataho” in front of the chiefs residence. The “pataho” is described as a masculine village guardian against danger and approaching enemies.

The object Seated figure “hampatong” with the object ID 3042097 was last part of the auction 86th Tribal Art Auction at May 27, 2017 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 93 achieved a sales price of EUR 1,600.

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Comparing literature

Feldman, Jerome, The eloquent dead, Los Angeles 1985, p. 118 f.