1980.2.McD Funerary figure

The Toraja carve tau-tau, smaller than life-size funerary figures, to commemorate high-ranking deceased. Only members of the highest-ranking aristocracy are permitted to have permanent tau-tau. This unusually small funerary figure appears to be archaic in style and probably predates even the oldest effigies seen beside Toraja tombs today. The bun or hair knot at the back of the head of this tau-tau indicates that it represents a female. The expression is not precisely understood, but it may be meant to capture the bearing of an authoritative aristocratic woman accustomed during her lifetime to public speaking and giving orders, as this tau-tau appears to be doing.

1980: Dallas Museum of Art, The Eugene and Margaret McDermott Art Fund, Inc., purchased from Emile Deletaille Antiquaire, Brussels [1]

[1] Works of art given or purchased by The Eugene and Margaret McDermott Art Fund, Inc., a non-profit organization, are placed in the custody of the DMA for the purpose of public display on the premises of the Museum or in other recognized art galleries or museums.  The title to all works of art purchased (or otherwise acquired) by the McDermott Art Fund remains with the Fund.

apply to objects where number equals 1980.2.McD