Lot 170
Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Borneo, Dayak peoples, ca. 16th century CE (C14 Tested). A carved wooden seat or throne, most certainly for the use of a royal child. With a curved half- basket shape, crescent seat, and on both ends there are drilled holes and carved loops for attaching straps so the seat could be worn like a backpack or carried through the use of attached ropes. The fact that this wood carving has survived for nearly 500 years in this condition is remarkable - the wet, humid climate of Borneo is not conducive for preserving wooden artifacts. This piece was radiocarbon dated to confirm the age. This is a dense and heavy wooden example with ornate carvings, suggesting this served a social and spiritual function rather than functional. The carved figures were protective guardians to ward away evil from the child and a family's rank and status determined what symbols and motifs they could use - full figured beings, as seen carved here, were reserved for the highest classes. Size: 12" L x 7" W x 12" H (30.5 cm x 17.8 cm x 30.5 cm)
Again, we cannot stress enough the age and condition of this piece. Before we had this test, we believed this wood could not be older than 150 to 200 years maximum, so when the test indicated about 500 years ago, we were shocked! For those unfamiliar with carbon dating, in simplest terms the test measures the carbon once a thing has died - for example, this test shows the time period when the tree was cut down (to be clear, this is not the age of the tree!)
The shamans, chieftains, and their close relatives were the aristocrats of Dayak society and only people of this high class could use anthropomorphic carvings to protect themselves, middle classes could use demon or animal depictions, and the lowest could only use geometric abstract designs. Carving the same exact patterns would nullify the power of the spirits, so these baby carriers had to be unique, and while some share similar motifs, none are identical. Siblings or new generations of the same family could use the carrier, but the carrier was not to be used by anyone outside of the family for similar spiritual reasons. Additional objects such as shells, beads, and animal teeth were added to the basket as ornaments to decorate and infuse power and protection; the rattling and noises made by hitting the wood was also believed to drive away evil. While functional transport, these carriers were much more than that and important heirlooms that conveyed the importance and wealth of lineages. To this day very few 3 dimensional objects have been found that where not the end pieces of Sargophagi. Objects of this type have been sold in Europe for $150000-250000 by well known art dealers
This piece has been tested using radiocarbon dating (C-14) analysis and has been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full report will accompany purchase.
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, acquired from 2000 to 2010
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#180726
- Condition: Old losses to throughout, missing areas of the carved panel and chips to rim. Repaired with adhesive. Seat is reattached with visible break lines at the base of the vertical carved panel. Pressure fissures throughout and surface wear. Wood is aged and weathered.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa, Wire Transfer
Shipping
8. IN-HOUSE SHIPPING: All buyers will receive an invoice detailing their purchases, sales tax (if applicable), buyer's premium, and shipping/insurance charges. Items will be shipped only upon receipt of payment in full and will be insured for their full value. We are currently experiencing shipping delays due to staff shortages, please allow up to 15 days for shipping after payment is received. If you prefer to work with a third-party shipper, we can assist with recommendations.
**Please note, we are currently unable to ship to Australia, Germany and Switzerland due to customs clearance issues. If you are in one of these countries, you will need to provide an alternate shipping destination, or we will not be able to complete your purchase.*
**For shipments outside of the USA, customs and duties may apply upon entry into said country; this fee, if any, is the buyer's responsibility. Also, please be aware that Artemis Gallery will NOT falsify customs value on any international shipments - what you pay is what we declare, no exceptions. There are a small number of international countries we cannot ship to. If you have questions about this, please inquire BEFORE bidding**
Artemis Fine Arts
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 32.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |