Collections: Arts of Africa and the Pacific Islands: Ancestor Figure (Iene)

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Ancestor Figure (Iene)

To honor deceased family members, villagers kept carved wooden figures to contain the souls of their ancestors in the family house. This seated figure (iene) from Leti has elongated limbs drawn close to the body and rests on a pedestal. The extension from the forehead may indicate the rank of the deceased.

• Medium: Wood, pigment
• Place Made: Moluccas, Leti Archipelago, Indonesia
• Dates: early 20th century
• Dimensions: 22 7/8 x 4 7/8 x 5 in. (58.1 x 12.4 x 12.7 cm)
• Collections: Arts of Africa and the Pacific Islands
• Museum Location: This item is on view in The Arts of the Pacific, 1st Floor
• Accession Number: 42.338
• Credit Line: Charles Stewart Smith Memorial Fund
• Image: Overall, 42.338_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
Ancestor Figure (Iene), early 20th century. Wood, pigment, 22 7/8 x 4 7/8 x 5 in. (58.1 x 12.4 x 12.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Stewart Smith Memorial Fund, 42.338 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 42.338_SL1.jpg)
• Catalogue Description: Ancestor figure of brown wood showing a seated human figure with knees drawn up and arms crossed on the knees. The whole figure, especially the legs, is elongated. Ear ornaments are represented as well as a little crest on the head. The eyes and mouth are painted grey. The base of the figure is in tiers with a typical Indonesian scroll on several parts of the tiers. Condition: chipped in several places.