TATTOO INK VESSEL

This ink vessel, with the Aso motif, takes the form of a stylised dog with a dragon head. The motifs of the vessel represent the gods of the Dayak tribe. The tattoo is an important part of the Dayak tradition and religion and reflects the social status of a person within the community. Tattoos are not applied lightly. There are norms and rules that determine the choice of figures, and a person's place within the society may dictate the placement of the tattoo itself. Even the individuals who are empowered to create tattoos are carefully chosen, and every sub-tribe in Dayak society has its own set of rules and conventions.