Borneo Tribal Oran Ulu, Dayak, Iban Tribe Heavy Brass Bronze Aso Dog Dragon Earring Talisman, Ear Weight Used as a Pendant for Necklace with Large Amber Beads & Old Glass Trade Beads NB21

From a Kalimantan Tribe: heavy Brass Aso Dog earring, ear weight made into a necklace.

ITEM NB21

The Primitive Tribes of the Orang Ulu, Iban, Kayan and Dayak wore with pride these original heavy brass earweights adornments considered to have magical properties as well as a currency value on the markets of Borneo.

These brass Aso dragon ear weights were cast locally and traditionally worn by men and women as a symbol of status and beauty in longer and longer stretched ear lobes, due to a life time of heavy ear wear.

The heavy brass weights were worn by many generations living in the jungles of Borneo causing the ears to stretch a foot or more over time.  

Great Condition.

This original one of a kind hand crafted ornament, once collected on the premises in Borneo, has been mounted as a pendant on a string of older glass trade beads and large amber beads from Borneo.

The heavy brass weights were worn by many generations living in the jungles of Borneo causing the ears to stretch a foot or more over time.  This one represents a Dragon Dog, an important guardian: a good luck and protection amulet. Beads were always considered to have magical properties as well.

 Guardians take the form of animals, humans and a hybrid of the two. A standard guardian figure is the ASO dog seen here, literally a dog, but really a creature that is part dog, dragon and sinuous vine created with old glass trade beads and a good luck brass Aso ear eight

The Aso figure may only be represented in its entirety on the clothing and implements of the high nobility. The same goes for the human figure. Lesser nobility use the heads of the Aso and humans, and commoners are confined to geometric designs.

All our collector and rare items come with pages and pages of research about provenance, and with history of the tribes and photos as well, depending on item and whenever possible. When shipping internationally, we group ship multiple purchases to save you money, and find the best rates possible. If you have any questions or want to see research conducted on this piece and photos of tribes, let us know.