Sumba Island Antique Wooden Statues

In animist Southeast Asia the origin of human life is thanks to the ancestors, as are all skills, knowledge, materials, prosperity and fertility. It is vital to remember and honour them. Ancestor figures are created as a focus to venerate the founding forbears.

Sumba is an island in eastern Indonesia, one of the Lesser Sunda Islands, in the province of East Nusa Tenggara. It is 3 islands east of Bali just below Flores.

The seated ancestor figures have dramatic elongated faces, with sunken depressions for eyes, smooth hollow cheeks, and long pointed noses. The chin almost disappears, leaving a minimalist slit for a mouth.

H: 49cm x D: 15cm x 15cm