Canoe Prow

ClassificationsTools and Equipment-canoe prows

Culture Iatmul

Date20th Century

Made AtEast Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

MediumWood, shell and metal

Dimensions5 1/2 × 31 5/8 × 11 1/2 in. (14 × 80.3 × 29.2 cm)
In stand: 15 × 31 5/8 in. (38.1 × 80.3 cm)

Credit LineGift of the Goldenberg Estate and the Sweeney Family

Object number2018.10.6

DescriptionThis is a wooden canoe prow carved by the Iatmul people residing in the Middle Sepik River region of Papua New Guinea. The Iatmul added carvings to their everyday use items, many of which featured animals prominent to the region and important to the culture including crocodiles and warthogs. In this particular prow, we see a combination of both animals. The canoe prow would have been used at the head of a dugout canoe to navigate the waterways of the region as well as for hunting and fishing. The abrupt end of the piece and fire-blackening are both results of the prow being repurposed for display.

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