Female Figure

ClassificationsSculpture

Datemid 20th Century

Made AtEast Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

MediumWood and pigment

Dimensions29 1/2 × 10 × 4 in. (74.9 × 25.4 × 10.2 cm)

Credit LineGift of Mrs. Vita Tannenbaum

Object number2015.1.1

DescriptionA tradition of carving human figures into wood is quite strong in Papua New Guinea, particularly in the Sepik River region. One of the locations where human figures occur the most is in men’s ceremonial houses. Carvings of men and women from myth or representations of clan figures and ancestors adorn the houses’ interiors and exteriors. It is likely that this piece is an example of an architectural detail or house post from within a men’s house from Taway village. Such architectural details support the floors and/or roofs of the men’s houses. Carvings of females in the round that represent important village ancestors are also common in this area. These carvings are kept in the men’s house and are brought into the public for celebrations and ceremonies. It is less likely that this example falls into this category of object as it is carved in relief and seems to contain form and stylistic elements that are consistent with the contents of men’s houses.

On View

Not on view

Collections