Now for sale via Catawiki

Beautiful old Bahau Dayak mask with nice patina. Provenance: Belgian private collection.

"Topeng jahat", or "terrifying mask" of the Bahau Dayak, served as a deterrent to admonish and frighten naughty children.

This type of mask also featured in ceremonies around second burial. The Dayak community believes that a person has two souls: one that is released immediately after death, and a second that is released only when the bones of the deceased are reburied. This second soul is considered a potential danger to the village, as it may continue to wander due to homesickness, or even try to take the souls of family members.