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artist
Woman's Work Board, 19th–20th century
Wood and shell operculum
25 1/4 (64.1 cm)
Gift of George and Marie Hecksher 2006.127.12

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Artist Biography: (none) PROVENANCE: Dr. and Mrs. Robert Kuhn, Los Angeles, 1999 PUBLICATIONS: 2009 FAM Bulletin entry (unabridged) - "Among the Dayak or indigenous tribes of the Island of Borneo only persons of high rank owned highly carved work boards or plaited fiber and rattan burden-baskets that utilized a decorated wooden slat. (1) The addition of a slat strengthened these baskets and increased its load capacity. Ergonomically, the over-all shape of these carriers resembles a modern backpack that evenly distributed weight while allowing its wearer to fully use their hands. Perforations along the side of this board show that it was definitely “the spine” of a burden-basket as opposed to a work board that women placed on their laps. Looking at everyday items, like burden-baskets, it's clear that the various Dayak groups superbly adapted to their Island's challenging environment. The interior of Borneo abounds in cacophonous sounds, eerie shadows, and filtered light - endless rivers and dense forests. There, to a traditional Dayak mindset spirits dwelled and shape-shifted, which if not properly appeased or checked could create havoc. The designs on this board, a monstrous central face (hudo) surrounded by dragon-dogs (aso) are depictions of supernatural beasts. These creatures actively aided and protected one against malevolent forces or physical dangers along forested pathways, or while working outside of the village's longhouse. These designs were also a moniker; announcing your identity in a world where temporal and mythic realities were seamlessly intertwined. The most desirable examples of this genre, like this board, were fashioned from hardwood, exhibit good age and have an excellent patina." FOOTNOTES (1) Resources used for this entry: Chaffin Alain & Francoise, Ed. Arts Primitifs de L'Asie du sud-Est: Assam, Sumatra, Borneo, Philippines, Collection of Alain Schoffel (Meudon, France : A. et F. Chaffin, 1979), 125-131; Sellato, Bernard, Hornbill and Dragon (Jakarta, Indonesia: Elf Aquitaine Indonésie; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia : Elf Aquitaine Malaysia, 1989) 138-139; Barbier, Jean Paul. Indonesian Primitive Art, Dallas Museum of Art (Dallas : Dallas Museum of Art 1984), 86-87; Feldman, Jerome, Ed. The eloquent dead : ancestral sculpture of Indonesia and Southeast Asia (Los Angeles : UCLA Museum of Cultural History, 1985), 106-107.

Related Keywords
Woman's Hecksher Marie George Gift 1999 Angeles Los Kuhn Robert Mrs Dr people Dyak Oceania Borneo Kalimantan island Indonesia Object Domestic operculum shell Wood beasts supernatural depictions aso dogs dragon by surrounded hudo face central monstrous designs patina excellent an age good exhibits hardwood Fashioned laps placed women work opposed as basket burden spine show board this side along Perforations 0321200810400001 A309981 2006.127.12 AOA