Male ancestor figure "adu zatua", early 20th century

Description

wood, matt, dark brown patina, traces of white pigment, half sitting/half standing posture, carved with elaborate jewellry: ear ornament and necklace, high rising crown, linear incised ornaments on the forehead, slightly dam. (nose tip), cracks (on the right side of the head filled with mass), rest. (breakage right forearm, headdress), minor missing parts (base), custom mount;
throughout Nias, wooden images, collectively called “adu”, are produced as receptacles for ancestor spirits. They were placed inside the houses, on small platforms often built near the bas-relief altars called “hagu laso” or “nahia nadu”. When family members wished to contact the spirit to provide news about births or marriages, or to request help, they placed offerings of food in front of the statue. Ancestor images in all areas of Nias were depicted with rich jewellry. These elaborate sculpted ornaments replicate those worn by the highest nobility.