Bornea/Dayak mortar?

Tim Simmons · 6th August 2026, 01:53 PM

This is an interesting little carving 13cm in total size, fits in your hand. Not really an area I know much about. Howerer it could be a shaman/healers portable medicine mortar to grind potions onitments. There is a residue in the bowl part. Sadly one eye on the hornbill is missing. I could replace it or is that bad form?

Tim Simmons · 6th August 2026, 03:35 PM

This is new stuff for me. Looking at this item, the human head seems to have a big bum to the side. I thought this rather odd. Then I though perhaps the head is part of a horse? So I googled and found.

AI Overview
A human-headed horse in regional Southeast Asian and Bornean cultural touchpoints typically refers to the Buraq (Borak in local Malay/regional dialects), a celestial winged steed with a human face and an equine body prominent in regional Islamic folklore and traditional art.

Tim Simmons · 9th August 2026, 02:12 PM

Could also be Philippine.

AI Overview In Philippine indigenous and shamanic traditions, particularly across the ethnolinguistic groups of Mindanao (such as the Lumad peoples including the Manobo, Bagobo, and Talaandig), the hornbill—locally known as the kalaw or tarictic—functions as a sacred psychopomp, an omen-bearer, and a living bridge between the mortal earth and the unseen spirit realms

Somebody must know?

6th August 2026, 01:53 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 6,032	Bornea/Dayak mortar? This is an interesting little carving 13cm in total size, fits in your hand. Not really an area I know much about. Howerer it could be a shaman/healers portable medicine mortar to grind potions onitments. There is a residue in the bowl part. Sadly one eye on the hornbill is missing. I could replace it or is that bad form? Attached Images

6th August 2026, 03:35 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 6,032	This is new stuff for me. Looking at this item, the human head seems to have a big bum to the side. I thought this rather odd. Then I though perhaps the head is part of a horse? So I googled and found. AI Overview A human-headed horse in regional Southeast Asian and Bornean cultural touchpoints typically refers to the Buraq (Borak in local Malay/regional dialects), a celestial winged steed with a human face and an equine body prominent in regional Islamic folklore and traditional art. Attached Images

9th August 2026, 02:12 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 6,032	Could also be Philippine. AI Overview In Philippine indigenous and shamanic traditions, particularly across the ethnolinguistic groups of Mindanao (such as the Lumad peoples including the Manobo, Bagobo, and Talaandig), the hornbill—locally known as the kalaw or tarictic—functions as a sacred psychopomp, an omen-bearer, and a living bridge between the mortal earth and the unseen spirit realms Somebody must know?