Vintage Dyak Hudoq Ancestor Mask Museum Stand, Kalimantan (1300BMK)

Description

The Dayak (Dyak) people of Kalimantan (Borneo), Indonesia share a mix of animism, shamanism and ancestor worship. Their word hudoq describes three important objects: pests that destroy the rice harvest critical to their survival, the annual planting celebration and specific ethnic and folk-art masks.  These tribal art carvings are used at births, deaths and important ceremonies. Protective images like this vintage one were placed on doors and walls, worn at ritual ceremonies, and guarded the graves of the dead to honor their souls.

Indonesian migration and economic transformation has brought changes in Dyak cultural, social, religious, and artistic practices. This hudok mask has pierced oval instead of half-moon or disk shaped eyes, a straight wide nose with well-defined nostrils instead of a curved or bulbous one, attached small round rather than separate wing-like ears, and a small mouth without scary teeth. In Dayak hudoq traditions it has a white face paint around the eyes and forehead.and carved outlines with traditional upward curling moustache arabesques. It was carved  from a single piece of wood and is in very good condition with a nice patina, surface scratches and pigment losses consistent with age and use. Mounted on a metal museum quality stand.

Click here for the blog Indonesian Dance Masks (Topeng): Spiritually Connecting the Community