Statue – Female Male pair – 23cm tall – Wood

These hand carved ancestor figures are a contemporary representation of Timorese statue carving. Created by the Tahu brothers who carve these distinctive eyes into their works.

Atoni female figure depicted seated with hands on belly, possibly representing fertility and the male figure also seated with hands on shins and 4 charming back facing birds around the base.

Teak / Kayu jati

23cm / 8.5″tall

6cm / 2.5″

485g / 1lb 1oz

Timor has a long tradition of carving ancestor or guardian figures for various functions. One is to protect those still earthbound within the family and another is to use as a “photograph” to tell stories of the person to descendants. Fetish and fertility statues still have their place in the society and are used by the Dukun or village Shaman to bring about auspicious circumstances for women and crops. Totem poles and offering platforms are still be be found dotted throughout the kampongs in the highlands.

Still carved today using little more than a machete and a penknife by those who continue the carving tradition.

You are welcome to combine items to maximise your postage costs, the shopping cart will adjust itself to accommodate your treasures and find the most economical rate. We will advise if any adjustments are necessary.

International buyers are welcome. Aus Post has returned the international 250gr parcel. This is great news as it is more economical to post small packets internationally now. YAY! A true shame that they have not done so for domestic.

I am Julie and have been collecting Timorese Treasures in the field since 1990 when I won a prize for overseas travel in a pub in Darwin [true]. I had no idea at the time that I had stumbled upon an Aladdin’s cave of authentic traditional tribal textiles and treasures. I have been returning annually ever since [well most years] and been witness to many changes across the last 3 decades.

NOTE: We use recycled packaging