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Hampatong maternity guardian figure, Bahau, Dayak, Borneo, Indonesia
17" tall
ironwood
19th century
ex Bruce Frank Primitive Art, NYC
ex private collection, US
$6000
I find unusual placement and/or pose of the child in maternity figures especially interesting. This sculpture has
some very unusual qualities regarding the carving of the child. As you can see in the photo (above right), the
child's arms are carved coming up underneath the mother's legs and one of the child's feet is carved in front of the
mother's leg while the other is carved behind the mother's other leg. The expression on the child's face is one of
fear. The right hand of each figure is carved with elongated, almost claw-like fingers.
Bruce Frank stated about this figure - "This maternity figure was most likely situated in the veranda of the long
house structure. It's weathered gray surface shows evidence of being exposed to the outside elements. The
figure is carved in high relief with great depth. The flat back of the object signifies that the figure was originally
incorporated into a larger architectural structure. The saw marks at the bottom of the figure show the point at
which the figure was detached from the larger structure. Both the mother and child have powerful, expressive
features. The right hand of the mother has claws for fingers, which are an indication of the early period during
which the hampatong was carved."
17" tall
ironwood
19th century
ex Bruce Frank Primitive Art, NYC
ex private collection, US
$6000
I find unusual placement and/or pose of the child in maternity figures especially interesting. This sculpture has
some very unusual qualities regarding the carving of the child. As you can see in the photo (above right), the
child's arms are carved coming up underneath the mother's legs and one of the child's feet is carved in front of the
mother's leg while the other is carved behind the mother's other leg. The expression on the child's face is one of
fear. The right hand of each figure is carved with elongated, almost claw-like fingers.
Bruce Frank stated about this figure - "This maternity figure was most likely situated in the veranda of the long
house structure. It's weathered gray surface shows evidence of being exposed to the outside elements. The
figure is carved in high relief with great depth. The flat back of the object signifies that the figure was originally
incorporated into a larger architectural structure. The saw marks at the bottom of the figure show the point at
which the figure was detached from the larger structure. Both the mother and child have powerful, expressive
features. The right hand of the mother has claws for fingers, which are an indication of the early period during
which the hampatong was carved."
| For additional detail, click on any photo below to see the higher resolution version of the image. |
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