Title
Ceremonial vest with shells
Year/Period
Late 19th-early 20th century
Region
West Kalimantan, Borneo
Dimension
Object size: L 55 x W 44.5
Accession No.
1997-04588
Collection of
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Andy Ng
This vest comes from the Maloh people in West Kalimantan, Borneo. It is decorated with small cowrie shells, and with attached brass bells at the hem. Ornaments applied to the garments of the Maloh people include precious heirlooms as well as foreign curiosities such as beads, Dutch coins and brass bells. The garments sometimes depict human figures, which represent ancestor spirits.
