We acknowledge the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the Country on which the Art Gallery of NSW stands.

Title

Ba' (baby carrier)

20th century

Artists

Unknown Artist

Alternate image of Ba' (baby carrier) by

  • Details

    Place where the work was made
    Kalimantan → Borneo → Indonesia
    Cultural origin
    Dayak
    Date
    20th century
    Media categories
    Weaving , Textile
    Materials used
    fibre, wood, cotton, beads, bone, shell and other material
    Dimensions
    27.0 x 45.0 x 20.0 cm (irreg.)
    Credit
    Gift of Peter Court and family in memory of Dee Court 2008
    Location
    Not on display
    Accession number
    421.2008
    Copyright

    Reproduction requests

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  • About

    Like modern baby backpacks, the Dayak, or indigenous communities of Borneo, carry their infants in richly decorated ba’. The carriers are made of fibre, plaited and woven like a basket, and have a wooden base to hold the child. The cowrie shells on the ba’ symbolise fertility. Tiger claws, teeth, boar tusk, bells and other charms on the carrier protect the baby from harmful spirits. Regarded as a particularly auspicious colour, the blue beads on the ba’ bring about happiness and wellbeing.

    Asian Art Department, AGNSW, December 2008.