Toraja (Sulawesi Island, Indonesia, Southeast Asia). Tau tau ancestor figure head and torso. Wood, pigment and shell. He...

Description

Toraja (Sulawesi Island, Indonesia, Southeast Asia)
Tau tau ancestor figure head and torso
Wood, pigment and shell
Height: 22-1/2 inches

Tau tau figures are effigy pieces used by the Toraja people of South Sulawesi. Beginning in the 19th century, wealthy families would commission wooden tau tau and place them in hewn rock mortuaries as guardians of the deceased. More contemporary pieces are extremely lifelike and clearly reflect the physical appearance of the deceased.

This tau tau sculpture is missing his lower arms and legs. Holes at the elbow indicate that the arms could have been moved freely. Tau tau are fully dressed with grave goods of garments and jewelry. Hair would have been inserted into the slit at the crown of the head to increase his realistic appearance. However, examples in collections have most often been stripped of these elements. There is damage on the lower back left of the torso and loss of pigment on the back of the head. Nonetheless, the piece makes a strong statement as sculpture.

Interest in Indonesian carvings among collectors and institutions has grown tremendously in recent years, and these tau tau figures are highly prized.


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