작품 상세

A Tau Tau Effigy Head, South Sulawesi, Indonesia A carved wooden head from a Tau Tau effigy, representing the ancestral spirit of a deceased noble individual among the Toraja people of South Sulawesi. The eyes are inlaid with shell, secured by small metal nails, creating a striking, lifelike gaze. The mouth is carved with down-turned corners, imparting a solemn, contemplative expression characteristic of traditional Toraja portraiture. This head would have originally been part of a full-bodied figure placed at cliff faces or wooden balconies, serving as a guardian and spiritual representation one that has passed on. Placed prominently overlooking the living, Tau Tau figures embody the relationship between the physical and spiritual worlds, serving as intermediaries during important rituals such as the Rambu Solo' funeral ceremony. Carving L370 W180 D165mm, on stand H480mm