Anthropomorphic Figure
ClassificationsSculpture
Date20th Century
Made AtTorba Province, Vanuatu
MediumBasalt
Dimensions7 1/2 × 20 × 11 in. (19.1 × 50.8 × 27.9 cm)
Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. Danny and Anne Shih
Object number2014.15.9
DescriptionStone is the most permanent medium used to create cultural objects within the islands of Vanuatu. Many cultural groups from Vanuatu associate stone with sacred spaces due to a belief that spirts or souls inhabit stones. In some cases, sacred spaces are declared as such due to interesting rock formations. In other cases, sacred spaces feature various stones that were placed there by people. Stones are also placed on graves to honor the dead and indicate where the mana or lifeforce of the dead resides. The most well-known type of stone sculptures are the namueleva of Malakula Island. These stone sculptures are round and small and feature compact geometric carved shapes to form a stylized human. The legs of the figure come together at the feet and create a “v” shape in the inner parts of the figure’s legs. These figures are obviously quite different than the figure seen in this record. No other similar figures could be found.On View
Not on viewCollections
20th Century
19th Century or earlier
Prehistoric
19th Century
20th Century
