Seated ancestor figure "iene" · Indonesia - Moluccas - Leti Island · ID: 3043217
Manfred Pütz, Cologne, Germany
Description
wood, dark brown patina, strongly encrusted in parts, typical seated posture, wing-shaped headdress, slightly dam. (arms), missing parts (both shanks/headdress).
Figures “iene” were carved shortly after a person’s death to serve as a receptacle for the departed spirit. To attract the soul, the “iene” were placed on a gold plate, and wrapped in red cloth. Honoured with offerings of food and prayers, “iene” bridged the spirit world and the realm of the living.
The object Seated ancestor figure “iene” with the object ID 3043217 was part of the auction 88th Tribal Art Auction on March 10, 2018. The object with the lot number 10 achieved a sales price of EUR 2,400 with an asking price of EUR 2,000.
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Comparing literature
Barbier, Jean Paul & D. Newton (ed.), Islands and Ancestors, Munich 1988, p. 316