Splashboard (Lagim)
ClassificationsTools and Equipment-splashboards
Datemid 20th Century
Collection SiteMorobe Province, Papua New Guinea
Made AtMorobe Province, Papua New Guinea
MediumWood and pigment
Dimensions32 × 17 × 1 1/8 in. (81.3 × 43.2 × 2.9 cm)
Credit LineAnonymous Gift
Object number2017.10.118
DescriptionSplashboards are an important feature used on canoes in the Umboi (Siassi) Island of Morobe Province of Papua New Guinea. Each outrigger canoe has two splashboards—one on the bow and one on the stern—which hold up the sideboards, increase the depth of the hull and keep ocean water from splashing those traveling in the canoe. Splashboards are cut from a single piece of wood and are intricately incised with mirroring designs on the exterior. The splashboard presented here is carved in a unique shape that has been attributed to Morobe Province. However, not much research can be found regarding the importance of this particular shape of splashboard. This particular splashboard features a carved image of a face with eyes, mouth, and possibly wearing a headdress. The motif of a grasshopper is carved along the two top curved edges.
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