S348: Meet Bapak Marcus Tuke who carves these distinctive upturned face statues. Atoni West Timor.
Hand carved with heart in the highlands of central West Timor these carved ancestor figures represent all that is quintessentially Timorese.
Blackened redwood

18cm tall x 6cm dia

7" tall x 2.5" dia

340g / 12oz

Timor has a long tradition of carving ancestor or guardian figures for various functions. One is to protect those still earthbound within the family and another is to use as a "photograph" to tell stories of the person to descendants. Fetish and fertility statues have their place in the society and are used by the Dukun or village Shaman to bring about auspicious circumstances for women and crops. Totem poles and offering platforms are still be be found dotted throughout the kampongs in the highlands.

Still carved today using little more than a machete and a penknife by those who continue the carving tradition.

You are welcome to combine items to maximise your postage. If you wish to gather multiple treasures try using the ADD TO CART/BASKET function instead of BUY IT NOW. If that does not work be patient I will always refund ebay's overcharged postage. 

International buyers are welcome. Aus Post has returned the international 250gr parcel. This is great news as it is more economical to post small packets internationally now. YAY! A true shame that they have not done so for domestic.

I am Julie and have been collecting Timorese Treasures in the field since 1990 when I won a prize for overseas travel in a pub in Darwin [true]. I had no idea at the time that I had stumbled upon an Aladdin's cave of authentic traditional tribal textiles and treasures. I have been returning annually ever since [well most years] and been witness to many changes across the last 3 decades. Who knows when we will be able to travel there again to obtain such treasures?

NOTE: We use recycled packaging and have to cover ebay's fees as they include postage/freight costs in their final fee [17%] [go figure!]

Clearly none of us are sure what will happen post COVID, if there is such a thing, but I do know that the villagers, carvers and weavers up in the mountains will be grateful when some outside dollars comes into their informal/circular economy. Therefore every purchase you choose to make with me will benefit the Atoni [people of West Timor] as soon as I can get back there.

I distribute reading glasses and nutritious food seeds as the soil in the western half of Timor is very poor and water a precious resource. Please contact me if you wish to contribute.