Southeast Asia, Borneo, Sarawak, Iban people, mid-20th century. A carved wooden post in the form of a standing figure with a round head, simple face, arms at the sides and a heavily weathered grey surface.

The Iban set carved figures in their rice fields to protect the crop from pests and harmful spirits and to encourage a good harvest. Rice is sacred to the Iban, and the cycle of planting and harvest is surrounded by ritual. Field collected, Sarawak, 1995.