I bought this 2 statues 2months ago .They come from a collector whom got it on the years 50.They come from Lanyu Island yami tribe.Size 21.5 and 22cm.Same light wood and patina.The Aborigene Museum d'ont show any.I sent them a picture of the statues but they did not reply .I am collecting also statues from: China,India,Nepal,Myanmar,Laos,Borneo,Tailand.                                                               Bernard/Users/papa/Desktop/DSC_0493.JPG/Users/papa/Desktop/DSC_0466.JPG

Hi Bernard
I placed your post in this forum as it is the one more appropriate to share pictures with comments on pieces.
Also your picture was not readable first, so I took the liberty to relink it.
No more problem, we can see it.
First, if you didn't find any similar statues in the aboriginal museums, it is because you were looking under a wrong tribal attribution. These two statues are really Taiwanese, but they are not from the Yami tribe of Orchid Island. They are from the Paiwan, in the south of the island. If you look in the catalogue of the Paiwan sculpture section of the collection, you will find very similar ones in style and in size (PA0104 and PA0105). The only big difference is the colour of the wood and the patina.
What brings me to the other subject, their age. I would be able to tell you more precisely about it if I had them in the hands. But it seems that, if they are old, they are not that old. I would estimate them from the fifties, at the most, that is already good, but not before, that means not before the japanese departure, 1945 being a turning date.
Question of patina, but also of aesthetic quality.
In fact, the quality of the carving work appears to be a little rough, not very fine, but nevertheless it seems to be done in the traditional way.
So, the good thing is that they seem to be authentic (but I would need to see them in my hands to be sure 100%). When I say authentic, I mean that they were not made to be sold to outsiders.
If they are authentic, and two at the same time, it is a nice double shot !
Take care,
Nicolas/gehaobo

Bernard,
This would be nice if you could send a picture of them from behind or under their feet.
It would help to see more clearly.
Thanks