Wooden Sculpture or Carving of Sitting Figure from Sumba Island, Indonesia

Timor Island sculpted wooden traditional mask (circa 1970s) on contemporary metal stand. This is a traditional mask of a figure with male facial features and two holes as eyes and another for the mouth with a handle below the face. The island of Timor gave rise to a distinctive practice of creating traditional masks whose precise origins and significance remain uncertain. Portraying both male and female ancestors, they were held by men during dances and other ceremonies, including celebrations of victory in war. Carved sculptures and masks are specific to rural villages. Here the practice of animism, or nature-worship, is incorporated with the carving of ancestral statues and masks, which have a ritualistic function. Some occasions that call for these ceremonies may include asking for successful crop planting, for prosperity, for good weather...

Carved wooden vise tool with human figure finial from Nias, Indonesia (circa 1960s-1970s). A striking carved piece with geometric patterns on the top and ...

Timor Island sculpted wooden traditional mask (circa 1960s-1970s) on contemporary stand. This is a traditional mask of a figure with male facial features and two holes as eyes and another for the mouth. The island of Timor gave rise to a distinctive practice of creating traditional masks whose precise origins and significance remain uncertain. Portraying both male and female ancestors, they were held by men during dances and other ceremonies, including celebrations of victory in war. Carved sculptures and masks are specific to rural villages. Here the practice of animism, or nature-worship, is incorporated with the carving of ancestral statues and masks, which have a ritualistic function. Some occasions that call for these ceremonies may include asking for successful crop planting, for prosperity, for good...

Ritual ladle of wood and coconut shell from Timor Island, Indonesia (circa 1950s). Intricate spoons and ladles were most likely used for large ceremonial feasts and offerings to ance...

Carved buffalo horn tattoo ink pot from Timor Island, Indonesia (circa 1940s-1950s) on a modern stand. The carving on this piece is very skillfully detailed at a level well surpassing most pieces from the region. A monkey grasps the ink pot as if it were climbing a tree trunk. On the forepart of the pot an ancestral or ritual mask...

Pair of water buffalo horn ritual spoons from Timor Island, Indonesia, (circa 1950s). The horns of large creatures were often used to carve intricate spoons which were most likely...

This Ikat textile originates from the Island of Sumba, Indonesia. It is hand-woven using naturally dyed yarns via a method passed on through generations. ...

This Ikat textile originates from the Island of Sumba, Indonesia. It is hand-woven using naturally dyed yarns via a method passed on through generations. ...

This Ikat textile originates from the Island of Sumba, Indonesia. It is hand-woven using naturally dyed yarns via a method passed on through generations. It features a predominantly ...

This Ikat textile originates from the Island of Sumba, Indonesia. It is hand-woven using naturally dyed yarns via a method passed on through generations. ...

This Ikat textile originates from the Island of Sumba, Indonesia. It is hand-woven using naturally dyed yarns via a method passed on through generations. It features a stunning array...

This Ikat textile originates from the Island of Sumba, Indonesia. It is hand-woven using naturally dyed yarns via a method passed on through generations. It features a stunning array...