Title
Hornbill carving
Creator
Year/Period
Early 20th century
Region
Sarawak, Northern Borneo
Object Type
Material
Technique
Dimension
Object size: H:58 x W:18 x D:97.5 cm
Accession No.
2009-02996
Collection of
Stylistically this image has several unusual features. This includes the simple, elegant form of the body and beak, the tight curl of the casque and the latticework above the body. The Iban believed the hornbill or kenyalang was the chief of the birds and had an important role as a messenger of the deities in the upper world. They also believed that they could invoke the hornbill’s help in warfare – going ahead of headhunting parties to weaken the enemy.
