Head sculpture

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Description

grained wood, blotched brown patina, encrusted in some areas, min. traces of red and white pigment, brows and nose forming a strictly T-shaped zone, eyes and mouth incised, originally accentuated with black paint, slightly dam., missing parts (nose tip), rep. (cheek right hand side), hairline cracks, acrylic socle;
presumably coming from a figural post. On Leti and its neighbouring islands in Southeast Moluccas, seated images called “iene” were carved shortly after a person’s death to serve as a receptacle for the departed spirit. Honoured with offerings of food and prayers, “iene”, like “korwar”, bridged the spirit world and the realm of the living.

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Comparing literature

Capistrano-Baker, Florina, Art of Island Southeast Asia, New York 1994, p. 180 ff.

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