Wooden male figure in standing position, with two large, flat feet, its knees slightly bent. Head is large with a carefully carved face. Mouth is a thin line, a small nose protrudes above, eyes are almond shaped and made of bone with a small hole carved at centre. Ears have two anterior curls, and have remnants of blue paint at back. Upper arms hang at sides, with forearms and hands (parts b and c) separate pieces that attach at elbows to allow positioning at an upward angle. A loin cloth is wrapped around figure’s waist, mainly brown-grey in colour with a stripe of orange around the waistband. Cloth covers a prominent phallus.

• History Of Use

  Tau-tau effigy figure; representation of the deceased and tomb guardian.

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• Type of Item figure
• Culture Toradja
• Material wood, cotton fibre, bone
• Measurements height 78.0 cm, width 20.0 cm, depth 14.5 cm (part a) height 29.0 cm, width 7.0 cm, depth 2.5 cm (part b) height 30.0 cm, width 7.5 cm, depth 4.0 cm (part c)

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• Previous Owner Joanna Staniszkis
• Received from Joanna Staniszkis

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• Made in Sulawesi

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• Collection Date during 1995
• Ownership Date before October 16, 2017
• Acquisition Date on October 16, 2017

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• Condition good
• Accession Number 3275/0007 a-c