A WOOD FIGURE OF A MALE ANCESTOR (ADU ZATUA)

A WOOD FIGURE OF A MALE ANCESTOR (ADU ZATUA) Indonesia, Nias Island, early 20th century. Carved as a nude male figure squatting atop a plinth and grasping two small props, with prominent nipples, erect genitals and wearing a necklace as well as an elaborate headdress. The sketched face is characterized by a stylized beard, broad nose, and mouth ornaments. Adu Zatua figures were made to honor deceased family members, the Nias people believed that the spirit of their ancestors remained inside the wooden sculpture and allowed for communication between the human and supernatural worlds. Condition: Very good condition with expected surface wear and minor scratches. Provenance: Dutch private collection. Weight: 1681 g Dimensions: Height 52 cm Auction result comparison: Compare a closely related figure at Christie’s online in Living with African and Oceanic Arts on 25 Feb - 11 Mar 2021, lot 14, sold for EUR 21,250. Literature comparison: Compare with a similar figure at the Brooklyn Museum, New York, USA, accession number 34.6073.