Tattoo Pattern

Flat piece of wood carved to leave a pattern in high relief. The block is inked and pressed onto the skin as a guide for the tattooing. Appears to be a simplified version of the Kayan aso (dog) design. The sinuous body, in particular, resembles that of a dog motif in beadwork illustrated by Ernest E. Haddon in "The Dog-motif in Bornean Art." A single design, for a man's forearm or thigh. See also P207.