Unknown Dayak group. Borneo Island, Indonesia.
Hard wood. H: 11.6" (29.5 cm).
The piece has not been carbon dated, but based on the style and wood surface, it is likely quite old.

This standing male figure has its hands raised up to the top of his chest and displaying an open mouth with
bared teeth, an aggressive expression meant to deter malevolent forces.

There is a hollowed out area on the back of the figure that presumably was meant to hold offerings or
powerful charm-like substances. The small peg at the bottom of the figure was likely meant to be inserted
into a larger piece or structure, possibly an altar.

The tribal origin of this piece is unknown, but the arms to the upper chest and the hollowed area in the
back might suggest it has a relationship with a rare type of ancient sculpture from Western Borneo that
has these same features, although those heads were uniquely elongated and they were all of larger size.