Monumental pieces · carved architectural post
The Forest Sentinel
A carved architectural post crowned by an animal-like figure, its summit turned upward.
Storytelling
The animal-like figure at the summit gives The Forest Sentinel its alert, upward presence. Studies of Dayak Kenyah lamin ornament record hornbill, crocodile, tiger or lion, and composite dragon-dog imagery.
These descriptions connect the pieces only to documented carved ornament around Dayak communal houses known as lamin. Research on Dayak Kenyah lamin records carving on walls, pillars and foundation timbers, using animal, plant, spiral and circular forms. No individual motif is identified without provenance.
Cataloguing note. The precise Dayak community, original architectural position, maker, age, wood species and meaning of the individual motifs are not documented. The pieces are therefore described as Dayak-associated carved architectural posts and are not presented as authenticated antiques, ritual objects or examples of a specifically named motif.
Documented. Material, availability and reference as listed above; origin as reported by the source. The photographs show the object complete.
Not claimed. Maker, date or attribution beyond the reported origin. No antique, ritual or museum status is implied.
Back to Monumental pieces or the collection. Background in context. Reading: Borneo, Made by Hand. For projects, see sourcing.