Massive Philippine Standing Female Bulul Figure, Rice God

Description

I had reservations about posting this on the site since large pieces of three dimensional sculpture are best seen and appreciated first hand in a gallery setting. This is a HUGE "Bulul" by anybody's standards and would have been an eminently important piece when it was made and used. The size of the Bulul corresponded to the size of the rice field it was made to protect. Judging from the size of this example it would have been responsible for protecting vast fields. Standing Bulul are far less common than seated ones. Stylistically this is a simple Bulul giving it great nobility. She has a proportionately large head with an angular tapering chin and elongated torso with bent knees. Her undulating profile is graceful with long fluid arms. Her sex is muted but present. Its intentionally massive square base is the reason it has survived. The large block, having ground contact in the granary is very eroded and took the abuse from insects as was expected. It has been painted several times yet areas of the surface are eroded especially on the top of the head. There is some loss to the right ear. It was no doubt used in countless harvest ceremonies and thus was an important and cherished object for its owner or village it belonged to. Bulul were inherited by the first child of a family and were held in very high esteem.

Origin: N. Luzon, Ifugao People
Period: 19th century
Materials: Wood (possibly "Narra"), charcoal paint, Libations