Ancestor Figure (Aitos) | Yale University Art Gallery

18th–19th century

On Timor, even though local cultures believe in a divine creator who is often considered to have a dual nature, representing both male (sky) and female (earth) qualities, ancestors take precedence in ritual life. It is the ancestors who influence all daily affairs and are considered to be the source of health, well-being, and fertility. Wooden sculptures of them are placed on circular stone mounts at the center of the village.

Medium: Wood
Dimensions: with base: 45 11/16 × 6 5/16 × 11 7/16 in. (116 × 16 × 29 cm)
base: 1/2 × 6 × 10 1/2 in. (1.3 × 15.2 × 26.7 cm)
Credit Line: Promised gift of Thomas Jaffe, B.A. 1971
Loan number: ILE2012.30.828
Geography: Made in Timor, Indonesia
Culture: Timor
Classification: Sculpture
Disclaimer: Note: This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect the Yale University Art Gallery’s complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of records is ongoing.

Object copyright

No Copyright - United States

Additional information

Object/Work type

effigies, figures (representations)

Subject

ancestor worship ancestors

Technical metadata and APIs

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