Hazi Nuwu Ancestor Figure

Batu Islands, off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia
19th century
Wood

Provenance: Aldo and Hannie van Eyck collection, The Netherlands

This rare ancestor figure, known as a Hazi Nuwu, originates from the Batu Islands, a small archipelago situated between Nias and Siberut. Created as a representation of a revered ancestor, such figures served as tangible links between the living and the spirit world. They were consulted for protection, guidance, and the continued well-being of the household, embodying the enduring presence of ancestral power within community life.

The sculptural qualities of this example are particularly compelling. The figure’s broad, mask-like face is dominated by sharply carved almond-shaped eyes beneath dramatic arched brows, lending it an alert and commanding expression. Large ears, an angular beard, and the remarkable spiral horns rising above the head create a silhouette of extraordinary graphic strength. The body is reduced to a series of elegant, simplified forms that focus attention on the expressive head, a hallmark of the finest ancestor figures from the region.

Beyond its ethnographic significance, the figure possesses a striking modernity. The balance between abstraction and representation, the confident geometry of the carving, and the deep, lustrous patina acquired through age and handling elevate the work beyond ritual object into the realm of exceptional sculpture.