Tau-tau funerary statue Toraja people Sulawesi... - Lot 35 - Gros & Delettrez

  2. Result
  3. Tau-tau funerary statue Toraja people Sulawesi... - Lot 35 - Gros & Delettrez
  4. Lot n° 35 
Lot n° 35
Go to lot
Estimation :
60000 - 80000 EUR
Tau-tau funerary statue Toraja people Sulawesi... - Lot 35 - Gros & Delettrez
Tau-tau funerary statue Toraja people Sulawesi (Sulawesi), Indonesia Late 19th - early 20th century Wood, shells and pigments Height: 171 cm Provenance : Guy Piazzini and Jean-Jacques Dutko, Paris Michel Périnet Collection, Paris Alain de Monbrison, Paris Private collection, Paris, acquired in 2001 Publication: Tasset, "Le retour de Mata Hari", in Le Figaro, 1997 Exhibition: Paris, Galerie Jean-Jacques Dutko, Mata Hari di Indonesia, 1 October - 15 November 1997 Toraja (or To-ri-adja, men of the mountain) is the name given to the cultural groups of the mountainous regions of the north of the province of South Sulawesi in Indonesia. Funeral rites are of great importance to the Toraja because the deceased, once all the rites have been performed and the body buried (which may take place long after death), will attain the status of deata or deified ancestor figure. As the gods are never represented, it is the tau-tau, a true funerary portrait, which will shelter the soul of the dead and, like the intercessor between heaven and earth, will protect men. The style of the tau-tau has evolved somewhat over the centuries, the oldest ones would present a more archaic treatment with notably thin arms flanking the body and a disproportionate head. Later, the style became more and more realistic and some elements can be mobile, like the forearms or the head. This is the case here with our beautiful 171 cm long example whose forearms and hands were turned palms upwards, a ritualistic gesture of beneficence that gives full meaning to the role of protector of the deceased. Although only the wooden carved part has survived, these effigies reserved for the nobility - to parange (guarantor of the tradition) - were richly adorned and dressed with sarongs, jewels, weapons and other family attributes symbolizing opulence and wealth. Despite the absence of these ornaments, this work impresses with its posture and elegance. The beautiful patina of a noble wood - jackfruit - the details of the tattoos in circles or spirals (testifying to a geometric decorative art) associated with the bun hairstyle confirm the very high social status of the ancestor represented here.
My orders
Sale information
Sales conditions
Return to catalogue