Tattoo pattern block, carved from wood with a symmetrical pointed design. Stained with black pigment. [SM 06/10/2010]

Collection type: Object
Description: Tattoo pattern block, carved from wood with a symmetrical pointed design. Stained with black pigment. [SM 06/10/2010]
Long description: Tattoo pattern block, carved from wood with a symmetrical pointed design. The design has four large petal shaped points with four smaller ones between them. A section of the centre of the design has been carved out and has a circle/dot within it. Stained with black pigment. [SM 06/10/2010]
Geographical reference: Malaysia
Asia > South-eastern Asia > Malaysia; Sarawak
Cultural groups: Iban; Kayan; Kenyah
Person: Field collector Charles Anthony Johnson Brooke; PRM source Third Rajah of Sarawak, Charles Vyner de Windt Brooke; PRM source Bertram Norman Sergison Brooke
Date / Period: Date made: Before 1923
Date collected: before 1923
Acquisition information: Donated: 1923
Materials and processes: Material Wood Plant, Material Pigment, Process Carved, Process Stained
Dimensions: Width: max 48 mm, Length: max 48 mm
Object numbers: Accession number: 1923.86.213
Research and responses: For information about tattooing and the patterns featured on these pattern blocks see Hose and McDougall, 'The Pagan Tribes of Borneo vol. I ', London : Macmillan and Co., 1912. Chapter 12. [JP 6/2/2001]
Also see: Charles Hose & R. Shelford, 'Materials for a study of Tatu in Borneo', J.R.A.I. vol. xxxvi, 1906. (Balfour Library Pamphlets; 'Indonesia Borneo' Box). [CF 1/3/2001]

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