Statue, Dayak, Bornéo, Indonésie

Ader Picard Tajan, Paris,  27 février 1989, n° 113
Jean-Luc Méchiche, Paris
Collection privée, acquis en 1991

Good condition overall for an object of this type and age; worn surface as a result of prolonged exposure to the elements: age cracks and losses throughout; large age cracks running along the head and abdomen; shoulders eroded, as visible in the catalogue illustration. Weathered light brown patina. In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Cette statue - monumentale - dont la puissance du visage est accentuée par la profonde érosion du bois dur, relève, au sein du corpus hampatong, des grandes sculptures à vocation protectrice, utilisées par les différents groupes Dayak. Elles œuvraient soit comme gardiens de villages, chargés de chasser les esprits malfaisants ou d’éloigner les épidémies, soit comme effigies d’ancêtres, placées devant les maisons (lamin) afin d’en protéger les occupants, et de « servir de relais pour transmettre ou recevoir les messages circulant entre le monde des humains et celui des esprits » (cf. Rodgers, L’or des îles, Ornements et bijoux ethniques de l’Insulinde, 2002, p. 119). Voir Sotheby's (New York, 15 novembre 2013, n° 28), pour la figure gardienne de reliquaire Dayak de la collection Allan Stone, offrant une comparable force expressive.