Yam House Lintel (Tataba)
ClassificationsArchitectural Elements-lintels
Culture
Massim
Date20th Century
Made AtMilne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea
MediumWood and pigment
Dimensions13 3/4 × 63 3/4 × 3 7/8 in., 236.8 oz. (34.9 × 161.9 × 9.8 cm, 6.713 kg.)
Credit LineBowers Museum Purchase
Object number2011.5.1
DescriptionIntricately carved wooden lintels decorate the doorways of Massim ceremonial yam storage houses. Having a full yam house is akin to having full coffers and added to a chief’s prestige; the opposite could lead to food shortages and undermine a village’s faith in the leadership of a chief. Through most of the 20th century, cattle remained rare are rare in Papua New Guinea.On View
Not on viewCollections
mid 20th Century
early 20th Century
early 20th Century
