S496: Hand-carved
in the highlands of central West Timor. She is an excellent example of the craft from Bapak Tamob from Oinlasi.
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.