120 - “Topeng Jaat” Mask

“Topeng Jaat” Mask It features a concave face with a warlike expression, marked by an open mouth revealing powerful teeth, framed by thick lips. Eyes carved in relief accentuate the intensity of the gaze, and a semispherical ornament adorns its nose. The bare forehead and finely rendered ears complete the mask’s wild appearance, highlighting the work’s strength and energy. Wood, traces of pigments, old signs of wear, and a patina of age. Dayak, East Borneo, Indonesia 36 x 21 x 9 cm Provenance: Coppens Tribal Art, Brussels. Collected in October 2011 by Taty Sumyaty in the village of Long Melaham, Mahakam River, East Borneo Liliane and Michel Durand-Dessert Collection Topeng Jaat masks belong to the Dayak people of Borneo, known for their animist and warrior traditions. Used in ceremonial dances, these masks symbolize the spiritual and physical power of the ancestors, serving to invoke protective forces and maintain the balance between humans and spirits. The Topeng Jaat represents a sacred link between the visible and invisible worlds, where dance becomes an act of interaction with the spiritual realm. With its striking visual impact, it embodies the role of the warrior and the protective spirit in Dayak rituals. It reminds us that dance is not merely a performance but a means of communicating with invisible forces, preserving the harmony and balance of the clan.