Ancestor pair, itara

Atauro Island, East Timor
19th early 20th century
Wood, cotton, fiber cord
9 in / 23 cm and 8.75 in / 22 cm
SOLD

This is an exceptionally important itara pair featuring an unusually early sculptural style. It probably represents the primordial father and mother of the clan. Itara were known to have hung in the rafters of a traditional house, the roof always being associated with the realm of the ancestors. This explains why most figures from Atauro are not carved with level feet for free standing. Itara served to protect the house from thieves and other malevolent forces.

These itara figures have a serious demeanor, well-shaped ears and arms, and a keen attention to detail at the kneecaps and ankles. The prominent nose displays affinities with ancestor figures from the relatively nearby islands of Moa, Leti, and Lakor. The Dutch anthropologist René Wassing was Michael Rockefeller’s surviving companion on their ill-fated boat journey off the coast of Asmat territory, West Papua New Guinea in 1961. He later became curator of ethnography at the Museum voor Volkenkunde in Rotterdam, now known as the Wereldmuseum.

Ex Laurence A. G. Moss collection
(purchased in Kupang, 1979)