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Borneo Hat

Unknown Sarawakian artisans

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Borneo Hat by Unknown Sarawakian artisans © unknown, research needed
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Borneo Hat by Unknown Sarawakian artisans © the artist or other rights holder

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Borneo Hat by Unknown Sarawakian artisans © the artist or other rights holder
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Borneo Hat by Unknown Sarawakian artisans. Legacy's staff are not aware of any copyright restrictions

Artwork Detail - V6

Unknown Sarawakian artisans
Sun hat
Sarawakian
Borneo
before 1966
Beads, palm leaves, and textile
overall: 14 cm x 56.5 cm x 56.5 cm
This traditional Saung sun hat is intricately woven from dried palm leaves. Its overall shape resembles an upside-down basket or bowl with no brim. The outer surface of the hat is embellished with an intricate beadwork design of concentric circles and geometric patterns in colours of black, white, red, green, and yellow. The design is perfectly symmetrical, extending from a red dot in the centre. The hat is further embellished with single strings of beads that are laid across one another in a thatched design. The beads follow a repeated pattern of (3 beads at a time) red, white, black, yellow, green, and back to red. Eight circular, flattened fabric flowers are sewn into the outer surface of the hat in pairs at each of the four quadrants in the colours red, blue, and green. On the underside of the hat there is a smaller bowl-like structure designed to sit on the head. The inside of the headpiece is lined with a yellow fabric and there is a blue and red-striped fabric chin strap with white stitching. A 3-dimensional carnation-like flower made of red fabric is sewn into the hat where either end of the chin strap connects.
The hat's design, materials, and techniques reflect the unique cultural heritage of the Kenyah and Kayan communities. Its acquisition contributes to the diversity of Legacy’s collection while promoting the cultural significance and artistic excellence of traditional crafts made by female artists from Borneo. Borneo Indigenous communities gifted the hat to Canadian educator Manson Toynbee during his assignment as a group headmaster in Sarawak.
Hats, Textiles, Women, beads
Beadwork
Gift of Christina Marshall.
U023.3.1

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