Wooden Carving or Sculpture of Standing Ancestral Figure from Timor, Indonesia

Timor Island sculpted wooden traditional mask (circa 1970s) on contemporary metal stand. This is a traditional mask of a figure with male facial features and two holes as eyes and another for the mouth with a handle below the face. The island of Timor gave rise to a distinctive practice of creating traditional masks whose precise origins and significance remain uncertain. Portraying both male and female ancestors, they were held by men during dances and other ceremonies, including celebrations of victory in war. Carved sculptures and masks are specific to rural villages. Here the practice of animism, or nature-worship, is incorporated with the carving of ancestral statues and masks, which have a ritualistic function. Some occasions that call for these ceremonies may include asking for successful crop planting, for prosperity, for good weather...

Carved wooden vise tool with human figure finial from Nias, Indonesia (circa 1960s-1970s). A striking carved piece with geometric patterns on the top and ...

Timor Island sculpted wooden traditional mask (circa 1960s-1970s) on contemporary stand. This is a traditional mask of a figure with male facial features and two holes as eyes and another for the mouth. The island of Timor gave rise to a distinctive practice of creating traditional masks whose precise origins and significance remain uncertain. Portraying both male and female ancestors, they were held by men during dances and other ceremonies, including celebrations of victory in war. Carved sculptures and masks are specific to rural villages. Here the practice of animism, or nature-worship, is incorporated with the carving of ancestral statues and masks, which have a ritualistic function. Some occasions that call for these ceremonies may include asking for successful crop planting, for prosperity, for good...

Pair of water buffalo horn ritual spoons from Timor Island, Indonesia, (circa 1950s). The horns of large creatures were often used to carve intricate spoons which were most likely...

Ritual ladle of wood and coconut shell from Timor Island, Indonesia (circa 1950s). Intricate spoons and ladles were most likely used for large ceremonial feasts and offerings to ance...

Carved buffalo horn tattoo ink pot from Timor Island, Indonesia (circa 1940s-1950s) on a modern stand. The carving on this piece is very skillfully detailed at a level well surpassing most pieces from the region. A monkey grasps the ink pot as if it were climbing a tree trunk. On the forepart of the pot an ancestral or ritual mask...

An early 20th century carved wood door panel from Timor Island in the Indonesian archipelago. This antique wall panel from Timor Island (an isl...

Lovely Folk Art wooden carved standing owl. It has bone around the eyes. Small chip on the base.

This large Folk Art wooden sculpture is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in Europe and most likely Italy in circa 1920 in a Folk Art style. This large wooden carved sculpture depicts an elderly bearded man carrying a heavy basket on his back and holding the straps in the front to support the weight. This is quite a tall carving...

French Modern Carved Pine Sculpture of a Standing Monkey A well carved figure of a crouching monkey with the arms resting on the legs. Raised on an eboinzed wood base.        

A very fine pair of early 19th century carved figures, of Court Jesters These bearded gentlemen have been superbly carved in the finest detail, they original came from a piece of ea...

Beautiful hand carved wooden figurine of an adorable girl - shepherdess with a sheep. Dimensions: Height 35.5 cm / in, width 13 cm / in, ...