Female Figure
ClassificationsSculpture
Datemid 20th Century
Made AtEast Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea
MediumWood and pigment
Dimensions30 7/8 × 8 5/8 × 4 1/2 in., 118.4 oz. (78.4 × 21.9 × 11.4 cm, 3.357 kg.)
Credit LineGift of Mrs. Vita Tannenbaum
Object number2015.1.1
DescriptionCarvings of men and women from myth or representations of clan figures and ancestors adorn the interiors and exteriors of men’s ceremonial houses in Papua New Guinea’s Sepik River region. It is likely that this piece is an example of an architectural detail or house post from a ceremonial house. Such architectural details support the floors or roofs of the ceremonial houses. Carvings of females in the round that represent important village ancestors are also common in this area. These carvings are kept in the ceremonial house and are brought into the public for celebrations and ceremonies.On View
Not on viewCollections
