Philippines
Ifugao Tribe, North
Luzon
Wood figure of sitting male
bulul (rice
god)
early 20th
Century
Height: 26,5
cm
Seated
in squatting position on a base ,his elbows resting
on his knees, his face with strong
expressionistic expression, sunken eyes, elongated
ears. Bulul deities are invoked by priests and asked
to make the rice continue to grow during harvest
ceremonies held at the house of the rice field's
owner. It is then placed in the granary where the
rice is dried. The base and the lower parts of the
legs and back has evidence of old beetle insect
holes. Heavy hardwood. Very beautiful
patina ,partly sacrificial surface patina which
shows the age . An exceptional expressionistic
tribal art sculpture.