An interesting antique hand carved male ancestor figure from Timor, Indonesia.
Carved from a beautiful hardwood with chestnut coloring.
In excellent condition.
Measures:
25” tall
28” tall on custom base
Ancestor figure. Timor, Indonesia (circa 1960s-1970s). Amongst the Aboriginal inhabitants of Timor and Tanimbar Islands, traditional practices of Animism and Ancestor worship predominate. Each village has a sacred house with a custodian priest and surrounding taboo area. Here, the practice of Animism, or nature-worship, is incorporated with the carving of ancestral statues and masks, which have a ritualistic function. Ancestral figure carvings are produced to honour the departed, and statues are carved and brought out to re-tell stories as a means to remember past family members. Similarly guardian spirits, ancestor figures or totemic spirits are all captured in wood, to be passed down for posterity and used in order to build the spiritual power of the village. The carvers work with local resources such as teak wood, red cedar wood, eucalyptus. This particular figure projects serenity, perhaps representing a revered elder relative. In fair vintage condition commensurate with age.
Thank you for your interest in my curated selection of rare and unusual pieces! We have taken pride for over 20 years in our excellent reputation, and strive to satisfy our clients' exact needs. Please note that we take great care in accurately describing our items, and we support that with a money back guarantee. If you receive a product that is not as described, we will promptly refund the cost once the item has been returned in good order. If you have any questions or require further images/information in order to make a decision please do not hesitate to contact us.
Thanks and Best Regards,
David Dixon and the Strange Imports Team