S496:   Hand-carved in the highlands of central West Timor. She is an excellent example of the craft from Bapak Tamob from Oinlasi. Female figurine statues are pretty rare in Timorese carving.

This hand carved female ancestor figure has been well executed and includes details of traditional dress ikat sarong, she is holding a betel nut offering box, adorned with earrings and a necklace and there is a crescent shaped moon comb holding her bun. Scroll work around her sarong.

Blackened Teak

38cm / 15.5"tall

655g / 1lb7oz

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 found dotted throughout the kampongs in the highlands. Totem poles and offering platforms are still be be found dotted throughout the kampongs on the coast and in the highlands.

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

If you wish to gather multiple treasures try using the ADD TO CART/BASKET function instead of BUY IT NOW. To combine postage, select Request total from seller in your shopping cart. I can then send you an invoice with the new combined postage cost.

International clients are welcome. We will source the most economical way to get your treasure to you.

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.

Clearly none of us are sure what will happen post COVID, 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.

NOTE: We use recycled packaging and have to cover ebay's fees as they include postage/freight costs in their final fee [16%] [go figure!]

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.