Mid 20th century, from the Iban people, with wooden mounting rod, earth tones with repeating figural motif, unmarked.

92 x 48 in.

Acquired by Mr. and Mrs. John and Susan van Lennep, Southeast Asia and West Africa, 1960-70s

Collected while living amongst the Iban tribe, known as one of the last headhunting tribes of Southeast Asia.

The patterns on pua cloths relate to their intended use. And generally, the older a cloth, the more sacred or ‘powerful’ it was considered to be. According to Gittinger (2005, p. 102), ‘Most Iban textiles challenge the eye. Kaleidescopic patterns hover just at the edge of comprehension. Crocodile, snake, and anthropomorphic forms may emerge from the welter of patterning, but just as often there is a structured tangle of hooks and coils that defies labelling. This is a language of design unique to the Iban of Sarawak and the Iban-related peoples of Kalimantan – the Kantu’ and Mualang. It is a vocabulary to delight the gods and to invite them and their blessings into this world.’

Good condition.