Mark A. Johnson Tribal Art

1627: Heirloom Jar. Ceramic, glaze, rattan. H:27”, Dia: 20”. 18th to 19th century. Origin: China, found on Borneo Island.

Jars of this type were distributed throughout Southeast Asia and often kept as heirlooms by aboriginal tribes, especially those further from the coasts. Jars with dragon motifs were of particular importance to the Dayak groups on Borneo Island who traded them as currency, displayed them as status symbols, and in some cases used them as burial urns for noble families.