Unknown Wooden Asian Statue (about 4 feet tall)

I purchased this statue in an antique shop and was told that it was probably Indonesian. I've done a ton of web searching and can't find anything like it. Anyone have any ideas if it probably is Indonesian and/or more specifics about location/tribe, etc?

 

I think you were steered to the wrong continent. Try Africa, not Asia.

Debora

 

Well I bought it in Asia, so thought that would be more likely, but maybe you are right

 

Well, then it may be from closer to home and I misdirected you. Apologies. That said, it certainly doesn't look Indonesian (to my eye.) But I do suggest for the future that as a courtesy you provide all the information you have about a piece in your initial post.

Debora

 

You are right, I should have given more background. Basically I lived in Shanghai and a french couple bought an antique shop from another frenchman who had collected this on his travels, so they didn't have much info, but they assumed Indonesia.

 

pacific islands.....or thereabouts..

 

It's a fairly recent carving from Bali, Indonesia, made for the tourist trade.

It's strictly a "decorator" item, as opposed to something based on an actual traditional figure or artifact.

 

Welcome Rick. Impressive looking fellow, isn't he?
I'm with Taupou, a decorator item made in Indonesia. It has no relationship with any culture anywhere in the world.

It is a very strange phenomenon. Many people around the world want 'Tribal', whatever it looks like, and the Indonesians are happy to carve anything that sells, even if they have no idea what it is.
I guess it is like the 19th century city dweller's desire for nature or perceived simple country life, combined with the curiosity for the 'exotic', which in the 19th century often was the Orient. We are no different.

 

so true!