Throughout Southeast Asia, indigenous tribes have always honored the dead, as well as their ancestors, in elaborate ceremonies. In the case of the most exalted aristocrats, structures were often erected to glorify their memory and hold their remains.

The function of this architectural panel is not clear, but its scale and tapered shape, when compared to more modern forms, suggest that this carving is most likely the central panel from a small mausoleum or shrine house.

On rare occasions unusual carvings have been found in exposed riverbeds or along the muddy banks of the Wahao River and its adjacent tributaries. Usually, this occurs during periods of drought or when the courses of rivers shift. This particular 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.

The following essay is from the 1989 publication American Furniture in the Bybee Collection, by Charles L. Venable.

The squared-off forms of the back of this chair, with its classically inspired details, mark a dramatic stylistic departure from the deeply carved, sculptural forms common to mid-18th century furniture.

The squared-off forms of the back of this chair, with its classically inspired details, mark a dramatic stylistic departure from the deeply carved, sculptural forms common to mid-18th century furniture.

The following essay is from the 1989 publication American Furniture in the Bybee Collection, by Charles L. Venable.

The front of this chest of drawers seems to move in and out, punctuated at each segment by a brass handle or lock escutcheon. This "swelled," or blocked, front design was especially popular in Boston and Newport during the mid-18th century.

Batak people used bags of fur or leather as containers for tobacco or betel nut utensils. Usually fitted with brass chains that served as handles, the bags were reinforced with brass elements at the sides, opening, and base.