Pair of ancestor figures [itara] 19th-early 20th century
wood, cotton, fibre
22.5 (h) x 14.0 (w) x 7.0 (d) cm
Musée du quai Branly, Paris
© 2010 Musée du quai Branly Photograph: Patrick Gries/ Scala, Florence

Reflecting the common belief that the soul endures after death, many Southeast Asian cultures create sculptures to honour, worship and contain the spirits of their dead. This male and female pair from Atauro is austerely portrayed with straight limbs, sharp features and concealed genitalia.