Hampatong Pair - Dayak Guardians
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Hampatong Pair - Ancestral Dayak Guardian from Borneo
A hampatong is a wood or bone statue carved by the Dayak people who live in the interior of the Island of Borneo (modern name, Kalimantan). It is carved in many sizes, from two inch amulets to six foot statues. This hampatong pair would be placed in the entryway of a house, in order to ward off evil spirits. Hampatongs carved in human likenesses are temporary homes for dead souls or may be carved in the image of a deceased, beloved, family member. Carved in dense, heavy ironwood.
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