HANDICRAFTS 



211 



together with rattan, and in many cases are elabor- 

 ately carved with varieties of a peculiar conven- 

 tional design in relief (see vol. i., p. 240). 



Dishes of iron-wood, now almost superseded by 

 European earthenware, were formerly in general use 

 (Figs. 6 and 7). Their shapes are very good ; the 

 dish is generally provided with one or two '' ears " 

 or flanges for the grip of the hands, and these are 

 cunningly decorated with carved designs or inlaid 

 pieces of shell or pottery. Some have a spout 

 opposite the single handle. The hollowing and 



Fig. 40. — Sea-Dayak Armlet {simpai). 



general shaping of such dishes is done with a 

 small adze, and they are finished with the knife. 



Basket-work, etc. 



The weaving of baskets, mats, and caps is one 

 of the most important handicrafts of the Kayans. 

 It is chiefly practised by the women, though the 

 men help in collecting and preparing the materials. 

 The material chiefly used is strips of rattan. A 

 rattan about one-third of an inch in diameter is 

 split into f\v& strips, and the inner surface of each 

 strip is smoothed with a knife ; but the stems of 

 several other jungle-plants are also used. 



