This beautiful piece called Tap Lavong Kayo was handmade in bronze with ancient techniques on the island of Borneo sometime during the 1960's. It's the only piece of its kind in our collection today.

Ornaments like this were worn by the indigenous tribe Kayan, originating from areas along the Kayan river in the North Kalimantan province of Borneo, known for being fierce warriors with extensive tattoos and stretched earlobes. The Kayan people are divided into three caste groups; aristocrats, community members/commoners and slaves. Among the nobility, marriages are usually made with other tribes, while community members and slaves traditionally marry within the community.

The Kayan people developed a religion and a complex cult based on shamanism, bounty hunting and human sacrifices that lasted until the beginning of the 20th century. The tribes core event was the feast of collected heads - mamat, during which warrior initiations and funeral ceremonies were held.

Dimensions: 31 x 17 x 7cm with the stand

The ornament comes complete with the blackened metal stand and its story printed out for you inside a beautiful envelope.