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Details
- Other Title
- Ceremonial dance mask (hudoq) representing Naling Ledaang
- Place where the work was made
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Upper Mahakam river region
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Kalimantan
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Borneo
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Indonesia
- Cultural origin
- Bahau or Busang
- Date
- 19th century-20th century
- Media category
- Ceremonial object
- Materials used
- wood, pigment and rattan
- Dimensions
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48 x 49.3 x 26.5 cm overall
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a - mask with attached wing shaped ears, 36.5 x 49.3 x 26.5 cm
b - hat, 16 x 19.5 cm
c - tusk, 14.5 x 3 cm
d - tusk, 13.8 x 3 cm
- Credit
- Christopher Worrall Wilson Bequest 2010
- Location
- Not on display
- Accession number
- 543.2010.a-d
- Copyright
- Share
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About
"Hudoq’ masks like this exceptional example were made and worn by the Bahau and Busang people of Central Borneo to channel rice deities and
ancestors during key moments of the rice life cycle. Cloaked entirely in swathes of banana or ‘pinang’ leaves, the male wearer of the effigy, with
its distinctive protruding nose and chin, and bared lips exposing fierce teeth and fangs, would have been transformed into a manifestation of the deity Naling Ledang. Along with three other deities – Miyoq Laang, Hiraang Lejau Midaang and Ding Durung – Naling Ledang is believed to descend
from the heavenly realm of Apu Lagaan to bless and protect crops, ensure that rice paddy spirits are appropriately appeased, and bestow fertility on women.Ornamented with distinctive red, white and black scrollwork, the mask retains its characteristic wing-like ears, a woven rattan cap and the hornlike earplugs worn by men throughout the region. In addition to these striking accessories, the mask would have been adorned with pendulous
ear ornaments and large black and white hornbill feathers. -
Exhibition history
Shown in 1 exhibition
Glorious, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 27 May 2017–06 Jan 2019
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Bibliography
Referenced in 1 publication
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Niki van den Heuvel, Ancestral art of the Indonesian archipelago, Sydney, 2017, 36 (colour illus.).
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Provenance
Nomadic Rug Traders, pre 2004, Sydney/New South Wales/Australia, purchased in Bali, Indonesia.
Mariann Ford, 2004-Dec 2010, Sydney/New South Wales/Australia, purchased from Nomadic Rug Traders (art dealership). Gift to the Art Gallery of New South Wales as part of the Christopher Worrall Wilson Bequest 2010.