Ancestor Figure
Leti Island, Indonesia
18th-19th Century
Previous Collection: Emile Deletaille obtained in exchange from the Dahlem Museum, Berlin; which states this piece was collected in 1880 by Jacobson. Private French collection.
These small figurative carvings, are called iene; they were usually carved five days after a death, this is enough time for when the spirit would enter the iene. This example is extremely refined. The face is haunting, its features worn from time. The beautifully carved elongated earrings suggests, this iene represented an important ancestor. The patina reveals that this piece was exposed to the elements of a cave for centuries. A truly special and very rare example of Leti sculpture.
Ancestor Figure
Leti Island, Indonesia
18th-19th Century
Previous Collection: Emile Deletaille obtained in exchange from the Dahlem Museum, Berlin; which states this piece was collected in 1880 by Jacobson. Private French collection.
These small figurative carvings, are called iene; they were usually carved five days after a death, this is enough time for when the spirit would enter the iene. This example is extremely refined. The face is haunting, its features worn from time. The beautifully carved elongated earrings suggests, this iene represented an important ancestor. The patina reveals that this piece was exposed to the elements of a cave for centuries. A truly special and very rare example of Leti sculpture.