Ancestor Figure, Adu zatua

Central Nias, Indonesia
19th Century

Provenance: Private collection

This royal Nias figure is of superb quality. The body is classically conceived with great tension and posture. The single long earring and elaborately carved crown are features only associated with great importance.  The square shaped peg at the bottom indicates this figure was inserted on to a sacred altar.  The deep blackened and encrusted patina occurred during generations of use and exposure. Carved from hardwood it’s in excellent condition.