A Collection of Fine Old Micronesian Ancestor Figures

A Collection of Nine Early Micronesian Figures, Early Japanese Colonial Period, (Early 20th Century)

These interesting figures are all finely carved in squatting position, their stylized facial features and angular bodies with shell eyes, these figures embody the spare, minimalist approach to the human form typical of the sculptural traditions of the Caroline Islands of Micronesia in the western Pacific. These figures are from the early Japanese Colonial era in the early 20th Century, they were likely made for trade or sale but still had a living connection to ancestor figures that were made traditional ancestor worship & protection. Later examples of figures did not show detailed gender/ genitalia but all of these figures are clearly male & female which makes them early examples.

The collection of nine figures is in three pairs of matched male & female ancestor figures in varying sizes and another small set of three (two females & one male)

The largest set: Male figure at far left-back is 21.5cm & Female at far right-back is 18.5cm

The next set with great heads and expressions: 12.5cm & 12cm

The next Set is 8cm each

The Smallest Set of three are 6.5cm -7cm

Provenance: The Todd Barlin Collection of Oceanic Art