Ancestor figure

Description

ironwood, light grey patina due to weathering, insect caused damage, burn marks, base

The Jorai are a minority group based in Vietnam’s central highlands.
Most figurative sculpture of the Jorai relates to ancestor worship and funerary rites.

The present figure probably once belonged to a group of figures that were placed around a Jorai gravesite. The figures rose from high posts and served as spiritual guardians.