Suspension Hook (Samban)

ClassificationsFurnishings-Accessories-suspension hooks

Culture Iatmul

Datec. 1930

Made AtEast Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

MediumWood and pigment

Dimensions25 1/4 × 14 1/2 × 4 in. (64.1 × 36.8 × 10.2 cm)

Credit LineBowers Museum Purchase

Object number2017.1.1

DescriptionHung in houses or men’s ceremonial houses, suspension hooks served a largely utilitarian purpose. String bags containing food or other everyday items were slung over each end of the hook to ensure that pests could not eat or damage the contents of the bags. Suspension hooks almost always feature a carved human figure or animal that is mounted on or forms a part of the hook. In the case of this hook, the carved male figure represents an ancestor. The figure has a commanding presence and is carved to interesting and striking proportions. The hook retains the great majority of its original paint and shows signs of use.

On View

On view

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