The Torajans are an ethnic group indigenous to a mountain region of South Sulawesi, Indonesia.
The deceased relative is buried in a cave that has been carved high up on a cliff face.  The Tau Tau is a carved wooden likeness. It is dressed and placed on the balcony of the tomb, to represent the dead person and watch over his remains.
This is an old piece, carved from the jackfruit tree (artocarpus herterophyllus), its hands are missing and his nose is broken. The eyes are carved from either stone or shell. The effigy is incised with traditional swirls and diamond shapes.
The piece comes with a wall mount.
46"H x 7.5"W x 6"D