2001.267.McD Tutelary figure

The exaggerated brow and elongated jawline on the massive head of this small-bodied figure suggest that it was originally meant to be seen at a height well above eye level. Support for this notion is the post protruding from the figure’s head with two large rectangular holes, the top one of which is fragmentary. Clearly it was attached to or suspended from an architectural structure. The figure probably represents a protective spirit (meta).

This figure was accidentally discovered by two Kenyah when a portion of it became snagged in their fishing nets on a small unnamed tributary off of the upper Telen River. It is an ancient sculpture executed in an archaic style that was created either by the Wehea Modang, to whom the tributary belonged during the early 19th century, or by earlier occupants of the area, as suggested by its radio carbon date (13th century).

Roslyn A. Walker, Label text, June 2013.

n.d.: Palmieri collection, purchased from owners at Tabang longhouse, Kalimantan, Borneo, Indonesia

n.d.: Steven G. Alpert, Dallas, Texas, purchased from above

1986: Shoemaker collection, purchased from above

n.d.: Steven G. Alpert, Dallas Texas, purchased from above

2001: Dallas Museum of Art, The Eugene and Margaret McDermott Art Fund, Inc., purchased from above [1]

Notes:

The main source for this provenance is page 3 of the research document titled "An Ancient Dayak Wooden Figure" in the Collections Records object file (2001.267.McD).

[1] Works of art given or purchased by The Eugene and Margaret McDermott Art Fund, Inc., a non-profit organization, are placed in the custody of the DMA for the purpose of public display on the premises of the Museum or in other recognized art galleries or museums. The title to all works of art purchased (or otherwise acquired) by the McDermott Art Fund remains with the fund.

Apply to objects where number equals 2001.267.McD