The pagan tribes of Borneo - Get a Free Blog Here

240 PAGAN TRIBES OF BORNEO chap.
sword hilts all obvious trace of the human figure is
lost in a profusion of detail, which, however, is of
the same general character as that of the examples
described above, and seems to consist of the various
features of the human and animal pattern combined
in wild profusion with regard only to decorative
effect, and not at all to the reproduction of the
parent forms.
With the decorative designs of the hilt of the
sword must be classed those of its sheath. The
sheath consists of two slips of tapang wood firmly
lashed together with finely plaited rattan strips,
both strips being hollowed so that they fit closely to
the blade. It is provided with a plaited cord,
which buckles about the waist. The inner piece
of the sheath is smooth inside and out. The outer
surface of the outer piece is often elaborately
decorated. The decoration consists in the main
of designs carved in relief; and these are composed
of the same elements as the design upon the sword
hilt, namely, hooks, single and interlocking, elbows,
teeth, etc., all woven about with a scroll design of
relieved lines.
(4) The designs reproduced in fretwork are in
the main adaptations of some of those used in
decorating surfaces, especially of the dog pattern ;
but they are always conventionalised in a high
degree (see PI. 130). The hook pattern is frequently
introduced to fill up odd corners. The
human form is seldom or never traceable in work
of this kind. Fretwork is chiefly used to adorn the
tombs of chiefs.
{5) The designs chased on the surfaces of the
blades of swords and knives and spear-heads form
a distinctive group. They are flowing scroll patterns
containing many spiral and S -shaped curves in
which no animal or plant forms can be certainly
traced, though suggestions of the kalang asu may