Material: Leather
Style: Timor, probably East Timor
Size: Height 30 cm, Width 22 cm, Depth 22
Order Number: MHSTM7

Timor had a distinctive tradition of dance masks, whose origins and significance remain uncertain. Realistic masks were worn  by men to represent ancestors during dances and ceremonies, including victories in war. They were attached to a  headdress, wig or hood to hide the wearer’s identity. The whole lot was heavy. They are smooth and display cool power. They would have been worn again and again.

There is an example of a wooden one in Oceania: Art of the Pacific Islands in the Metropolitan Museum of Art,  Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, N.Y.), Eric Kjellgren, 2007, page 244.

19th – early 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Antique Timor Mask 7 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood
Style: Sumba, Indonesia
Size: Left: Height 28 cm; Middle: Height 26 cm; Right: Height 27 cm
Order Number: MHSS1

In animist Southeast Asia the origin of human life is thanks to the ancestors, as are all skills, knowledge, materials, prosperity and fertility. It is vital to remember and honour them. Ancestor figures are created as a focus to venerate the founding forbears.

Sumba is an island in eastern Indonesia, one of the Lesser Sunda Islands, in the province of East Nusa Tenggara. It is 3 islands east of Bali just below Flores.

Before colonization by western Europeans in the 1500s, Sumba was inhabited by Melanesian and Austronesian people. In 1522 the Portuguese arrived. By 1866 Sumba belonged to the Dutch East Indies, although it did not come under real Dutch administration until the 20th century. Sumba has a highly stratified society based on a caste system.

25% to 30% of the population practise the animist Marapu religion, worshiping ancestors, local deities and minor spirits. The remainder are Christian.

Note the seated ancestor figures have dramatic elongated faces, with sunken depressions for eyes, smooth hollow cheeks, and long pointed noses. The chin almost disappears, leaving a minimalist slit for a mouth.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Sumba Ancestor Figures appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood, beads
Style: Tanimbar Islands, Indonesia
Size: Height 27 cm, Width 6.5 cm, Depth 8 cm;  Height 25.5 cm, Width 6 cm, Depth 8.5 cm
Order Number: MHST3

The Tanimbar Islands are located in the South Moluccas and comprise over 60 islands which are 135 miles long and 70 miles wide.

In animist Southeast Asia the origin of human life is thanks to the ancestors, as are all skills, knowledge, materials, prosperity and fertility. It is vital to remember and honour them.

Ancestor figures are created as a focus to venerate the founding forbears.

Please ask the price (or make an offer).

The post Tanimbar Ancestor Figures appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood
Style: Timor, probably East Timor
Size: Height 15.5 cm, width 14 cm
Order Number: MHSTM1

Timor had a distinctive tradition of dance masks, whose origins and significance remain uncertain. Realistic masks were worn  by men to represent ancestors during dances and ceremonies, including victories in war. They were attached to a  headdress, wig or hood to hide the wearer’s identity. The whole lot was heavy. They are smooth and display cool power. They would have been worn again and again as evidenced by the patina.

There is an example in Oceania: Art of the Pacific Islands in the Metropolitan Museum of Art,  Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, N.Y.), Eric Kjellgren, 2007, page 244.

19th – early 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Timor Mask 1 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Leather
Style: Timor, probably East Timor
Size: Height 26 cm, width 22 cm (ear to ear)
Order Number: MHSTM2

Timor had a distinctive tradition of dance masks, whose origins and significance remain uncertain. Realistic masks were worn  by men to represent ancestors during dances and ceremonies, including victories in war. They were attached to a  headdress, wig or hood to hide the wearer’s identity. The whole lot was heavy. They are smooth and display cool power. They would have been worn again and again.

There is an example of a wooden one in Oceania: Art of the Pacific Islands in the Metropolitan Museum of Art,  Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, N.Y.), Eric Kjellgren, 2007, page 244.

19th – early 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Timor Mask 2 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood
Style: Timor, probably East Timor
Size: Height 24 cm, width 14.5 cm
Order Number: MHSTM3

Timor had a distinctive tradition of dance masks, whose origins and significance remain uncertain. Realistic masks were worn  by men to represent ancestors during dances and ceremonies, including victories in war. They were attached to a  headdress, wig or hood to hide the wearer’s identity. The whole lot was heavy. They are smooth and display cool power. They would have been worn again and again as evidenced by the patina.

There is an example in Oceania: Art of the Pacific Islands in the Metropolitan Museum of Art,  Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, N.Y.), Eric Kjellgren, 2007, page 244.

19th – early 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Timor Mask 3 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood
Style: Timor, probably East Timor
Size: Height 47 cm, width 17 cm (including the handle)
Order Number: MHSTM4

Timor had a distinctive tradition of dance masks, whose origins and significance remain uncertain. Realistic masks were worn  by men to represent ancestors during dances and ceremonies, including victories in war. They were attached to a  headdress, wig or hood to hide the wearer’s identity. The whole lot was heavy. They are smooth and display cool power. They would have been worn again and again as evidenced by the patina.

There is an example in Oceania: Art of the Pacific Islands in the Metropolitan Museum of Art,  Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, N.Y.), Eric Kjellgren, 2007, page 244.

19th – early 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Timor Mask 4 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Wood
Style: Timor, probably East Timor
Size: Height 28.5 cm, width 16 cm
Order Number: MHSTM5

Timor had a distinctive tradition of dance masks, whose origins and significance remain uncertain. Realistic masks were worn  by men to represent ancestors during dances and ceremonies, including victories in war. They were attached to a  headdress, wig or hood to hide the wearer’s identity. The whole lot was heavy. They are smooth and display cool power. They would have been worn again and again as evidenced by the patina.

There is an example in Oceania: Art of the Pacific Islands in the Metropolitan Museum of Art,  Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, N.Y.), Eric Kjellgren, 2007, page 244.

19th – early 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Timor Mask 5 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Leather
Style: Timor, probably East Timor
Size: Height 26 cm, Width 14 cm
Order Number: MHSTM6

Timor had a distinctive tradition of dance masks, whose origins and significance remain uncertain. Realistic masks were worn  by men to represent ancestors during dances and ceremonies, including victories in war. They were attached to a  headdress, wig or hood to hide the wearer’s identity. The whole lot was heavy. They are smooth and display cool power. They would have been worn again and again.

There is an example of a wooden one in Oceania: Art of the Pacific Islands in the Metropolitan Museum of Art,  Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, N.Y.), Eric Kjellgren, 2007, page 244.

19th – early 20th century.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

The post Timor Mask 6 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.