H4402.1

Ancestral Worship Figurine - carved blackwood, squatting man, black bear and moustachios, hands on kneecaps, each holding upright objects. Sumatra, Nias Island. "`Adu' figure. Traditionally such figures were carved for the death of individuals, including infants. Also carved for feasts. Such figures were not only carved to honor ancestors though, but to protect against illness and misfortune. Distinctive to such Nias `adu' figures are the prominent brow ridges, distended right earlobe, and horse or human hair moustaches. Today such figures are made predominatly for the tourist and collector market. Made of wood and human hair. Made for sale. Ref.: Taylor, Paul Michael. 1991. Beyond the Java Sea: Art of Indonesia's Outer Islands. Washington, D.C." (Kathleen Adams, 1/95)

Used: mortuary offering | Made for sale