Royal Ancestor Figure, Adu nuwu, adu zatua
South Nias, Indonesia
Late 19th-early 20th c.
Provenance: Ed Smit the Hague, (highly regarded collector of Nias figures active in the 1950’s). F. Blok, The Hague
Ancestors held immense significance in the daily lives of the Nias people. This figure, adorned with symbols of nobility, stands prominently with hands resting on its belly. It is embellished with a necklace, intricate crown, and a single earring. Wrapped around its waist is a bamboo tube secured with woven rattan, likely containing Adu fombali, miniature abstract stick-like figures. Old red trade cloth drapes around the figure’s crown and waist.
The figure’s broad shoulders and solemn expression exude an aura of power and authority. Representing a high-ranking tribesman, it was once affixed to a prominent altar, serving as a protective guardian for the household.
Size
Height: 16 in / 40.6 cm
Item
IN 5-1-24 / Price: $5000
Gallery
Royal Ancestor Figure, Adu nuwu, adu zatua
South Nias, Indonesia
Late 19th-early 20th c.
Provenance: Ed Smit the Hague, (highly regarded collector of Nias figures active in the 1950’s). F. Blok, The Hague
Ancestors held immense significance in the daily lives of the Nias people. This figure, adorned with symbols of nobility, stands prominently with hands resting on its belly. It is embellished with a necklace, intricate crown, and a single earring. Wrapped around its waist is a bamboo tube secured with woven rattan, likely containing Adu fombali, miniature abstract stick-like figures. Old red trade cloth drapes around the figure’s crown and waist.
The figure’s broad shoulders and solemn expression exude an aura of power and authority. Representing a high-ranking tribesman, it was once affixed to a prominent altar, serving as a protective guardian for the household.
Size
Height: 16 in / 40.6 cm
Item
IN 5-1-24 / Price: $5000
Gallery