Pair of ancestor figures

Title
Pair of ancestor figures
Year/Period
Late 19th - early 20th century
Region
Moa Lakor District, Babar, Southwest Maluku, Indonesia
Dimension
Gross Measurement: 137 cm,
Gross Measurement: 124 cm
Accession No.
2014-01179

This pair of figures representing ancestors was made to act as guardians. They are beautiful examples of the often highly stylised and simple sculptural art of the remote island of Babar in eastern Indonesia.These figures would have been placed strategically near the entrance to a village and were meant to protect the community from otherworldly dangers such as malevolent spirits which could bring disease or cause accidents.