44 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM vol.79 



anity. It is only with the introduction of certain Hindu and later 

 Christian symbolism and images that we find a mixture of native 

 Malaysian design and extemporaneous forms. A splendid example 

 of the Malay leech motive is the repousse design painted over with 

 bitumen on the walls of a miniature wooden coffin box secured by 

 Stirling from the Dyaks. 



In Malaj'an chow pots and bowls of cast brass, also in kettles and 

 lamps, are occasional protuberances. The same technic is noted in 

 Malayan silver betrothal cups. A. variation of this may be noted 

 in the fluted pedestal bases to be seen both in silver and brass ware 

 from Malay centers of metal craft. The Malays call the irregular 

 surface an imitation of a pineapple pattern. The protuberances, or 

 " gadroons," resemble also Siamese work, but the general form of the 

 brass and silver bowls and vases from Borneo and Mindanao closely 

 resemble Javanese forms. The protuberances, or " gadroons," also 

 resemble the lotus pattern which is found on the base of Buddhist 

 idols. 



The Bagobo of Mindanao in full regalia illustrates well the art of 

 a primitive Malay tribe in the exuberant ornamentation of weapons 

 of offense and defense, and of textiles. Embroidery of applique 

 beadwork designs on textiles in a technic entirely diiTereiit from thai 

 of the American Indian is the outstanding element of Bagobo 

 decorative design. The carving of geometrical designs in flat relief 

 on wooden shields, also the repousse ornamentation and applied 

 decoration on metal spears and cutting blades, is excellently done by 

 the artisans of this primitive pagan Malay tribe. 



Malaysian hashetry. — The basketrj'- of the D^aks of Borneo is 

 unrivaled for strength, fineness, variety, and skill in construction. 

 Rattan and bamboo, tough and resistant, are materials capable of 

 being readily and evenly dvided, and splints of any length can be 

 easily made. The braided or plaited basketry ferrule rarely exceeds 

 one centimeter in width. It is unknown elsewhere in the Tropics, 

 but it is of frequent occurrence throughout Malaysia. Many of the 

 specimens combine joinery work with basket weaving, and the knots, 

 loops, windings, and other fastenings often show marvelous ingen- 

 uit3^ While the Dyaks excel in delicacy of work, they are weak in 

 decorative patterns. 



The materials employed are derived from pandanus, which yields 

 baskets of a soft and flexible texture; from leaves of various pahns 

 of paperlike texture ; and from split bamboo and rattan, which make 

 baskets of a rigid structure. The forms are flat bags of pandanus 

 and palm of artistically twilled weaving in different colors, varied 

 with complicated openwork like lace ; flat telescopic baskets, circular 

 and hexagonal in shape; and napiform and globose baskets of 



