Large Brass Gong (Tawak-tawak)
Sarawak (Malaysia) or Brunei
18th-19th century
diameter: 45.5cm, width: 11cm, length of chain: 87cm
This gong or tawak-tawak is typical of brasswork from Sarawak or Brunei on the island of Borneo. Cast using the lost wax process, it is elaborately decorated
in applied overlay work with six dragons amid scrolling and interlocking vegetal decoration around a six-pointed star which has a large, plain central boss at its
centre. The particularly prominent central boss and wide rim are typical of Malay gongs compared with Thai and Burmese gongs that are flatter and more
shallow. The original chain incorporates two stylised dragons, a pair of open-work beads, and a cast Buddhistic endless knot.
The elaborate decoration on this gong compares with Malay brassware from peninsular Malaysia which on the whole is far more utilitarian, subdued and in
keeping with Islamic prohibitions on figurative art.
Tawak-tawak once were used as signal gongs to call people together. They tended not to be used as part of a gamelan orchestra as in nearby Indonesia.
Gong smiths, like kris smiths, worked in an atmosphere of magic and incantation. Some gongs were believed to be protected by supernatural beings (Singh,
1985).