Title
CARVED PANEL
Region
Malaysia - Sarawak
Material
Technique
Dimension
Object size: 46.0 x 321.0 x 7.6 cm
Accession No.
W-0859
Collection of
This rare, carved panel would have been part of a chief’s house. Two undulating dragons, always depicted side view with one eye, frame a squatting figure, possibly a slave. The figure’s face has a frightening expression to ward off evil. Many symbols in Borneo have dual meanings, but here dragons indicate rank and prestige, and depicting a full human figure, and especially that of a slave is only the right of high ranking individuals. Dragons are also associated with protection and fertility. Traditional painting extensively uses black soot and white lime highlighted with red ochre pigments. White can be associated with the upper world.
