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OASI/T001
Tetum
West Timor, (formally Indonesia)
House beams
Wood
100 in. long, 6½ in. across
Very good
$4500.
These beams were used in an important family's or ceremonial house and intricately carved with mythological figures that are composites of birds, reptiles, and humans. Four of these creatures are carved on back and front with a stylized human form in the center. Circular holes 7 inches from each end were carved out for support poles to be inserted. Two notched square depressions on either side of the central human figure show where other architectural support beams were attached.