Penis ornament comprising a length of ?bone, with two rounded ends. The ends are decorated with red, yellow, black and white beaded tassels. Currently in small box with 1928.55.1.

Collection type: Object
Description: Penis ornament comprising a length of ?bone, with two rounded ends. The ends are decorated with red, yellow, black and white beaded tassels. Currently in small box with 1928.55.1.
Geographical reference: Malaysia
Asia > South-eastern Asia > Malaysia; Sarawak upper [River] Batang Lupar
Cultural groups: Iban
Person: Field collector St. Vincent B. Down; PRM source St. Vincent B. Down
Date / Period: Date made: Before 1928
Date collected: By 1928
Acquisition information: Purchased: 1928
Materials and processes: Material Bead, Material Bone
Dimensions: Length 52 mm
Object numbers: Accession number: 1928.55.2
Research and responses: Related Documents File - Letter from Down to Balfour, dated 20 April 1928: '... I value the two Empalangs at a guinea each. It must be borne in mind that there is great difficulty in obtaining them. These were obtained from a tribe of Sea-Dyaks called: 'Skarang' who are a fine race physically, but are very shy with Europeans. They inhabit the upper waters of the Batang Lupar river - a place called Lubok Antu. As far as my experience goes, these articles [illegible words] are confined to one or two tribes of Dyaks. I have nver known Rayans use them. Rayans are a distinct race and do not intermarry with Dyaks....' [MOB 27/11/2001]