This is an exceedingly rare find from Artauro island, just north of Timor island, Eastern Indonesia. Carved wooden idol known as a "Itara" kept as objects of worship and status. the most noble members of the village have many Artauro. This image is very finely executed, with wonderfully cubist like form and has a deep glossy patina from handling. I acquired this sculpture in Indonesia from a man from Sumba island whose father collected it some 20 years ago.The wood sculpture of Ataúro island consists primarily of ancestor images (itara). Carved Itara portray distant ancestral couples, the founders of specific families and lineages. When in use, each figure is clad in the garments appropriate to its sex, the male in a loincloth and the female in a skirt. The exact function of the figures remains uncertain. However, they are reportedly used in the detection of thieves, the ancestral spirits going forth in pursuit of the culprits, and also in rites devoted to two local deities.These figures are very rare to the market, you will be hard pressed to find a finer example available on line, or anywhere else for that matter. Measures 14 1/4 inches tall.

Overall Solid.