Ancestor Figure (Adu Zatua)
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Object Label
To honor deceased family members, villagers kept carved wooden figures to contain the souls of their ancestors in the family house. This male figure (adu zafua) grasping two short rods wears an elaborate headdress symbolizing the tree of life.
Caption
Ancestor Figure (Adu Zatua), early 20th century. Wood, fur, pigment, 22 7/8 x 4 3/4 x 4 in. (58.1 x 12.1 x 10.2 cm). Brooklyn Museum, George C. Brackett Fund, 34.6073. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Title
Ancestor Figure (Adu Zatua)
Date
early 20th century
Geography
Place made: Gunungsitoli Village, Nias Island, North Sumatra Province, Indonesia
Medium
Wood, fur, pigment
Classification
Dimensions
22 7/8 x 4 3/4 x 4 in. (58.1 x 12.1 x 10.2 cm)
Credit Line
George C. Brackett Fund
Accession Number
34.6073
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