Not Currently On View in Intersections

Object Name: Architectural Panel
Cultural Group: Paiwan peoples
Place of Origin: Taiwan
Date: Early 20th century
Materials Used: Wood
Dimensions: H: 175.0 cm, W: 51.0 cm, D: 6.0 cm (H: 68.9 in, W: 20.1 in, D: 2.4 in)
Credit line and Accession Number: Museum purchase. X65.8158

Traditional Paiwan society was highly stratified, and the most important dwellings were noble houses that were given their own names. The ruling families took their names from the houses they inhabited. Panels flanking the doors were carved and named for the ranking descendants of the house. About sixty thousand Paiwan live on Taiwan today, comprising one of nine groups of indigenous Taiwanese. Their population is dwarfed by the twenty-one million Chinese living on the island, leading to contested issues of identity and assimilation.

Gallery Text, Intersections: World Arts, Local Lives, 2006