Dayak Ceremonial / Ritual Apron with Aso or Dog-Dragon Motifs

A red figure with curling limbs grins out from a field of tiny beads, flanked by dragon-dogs in full flourish.

This ceremonial or ritual apron with aso, or dog-dragon, motifs is Dayak, from Borneo, Indonesia, and dates to the 20th century. It is cotton and Chinese trade cloth. Among the Dayak, the aso is generally understood as a protective creature. The central panel is beaded in black with red, orange, white, yellow and green aso scrolls and a frontal figure. Above it sits a square of trade cloth appliquéd with a red and green flame-like motif. Red cotton panels flank it. It is 42 inches wide and 33 long.

Every bead is placed, and every curl means business.