Sculpture
ClassificationsSculpture
Date20th Century
Made AtTorba Province, Vanuatu
MediumStone
Dimensions13 1/8 × 9 × 7 in. (33.3 × 22.9 × 17.8 cm)
Credit LineGift of Anne and Long Shung Shih
Object number2018.13.23
DescriptionThis is a stone amulet or sculptural object from Vanuatu. Stone 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 the animistic belief that spirts and 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. Stone amulets whose purpose has not been identified are also found on Vanuatu, noted to be carved in the form of faces. It is possible they are carved in likeness to an ancestor and draw upon the deceased’s skills or prosperity. Most stone carvings, likely this stone as well, are made from soft tufa, a type of limestone.On View
Not on viewCollections
20th Century
20th Century
19th to early 20th Century
19th to early 20th Century
19th Century
20th Century
20th Century
Prehistoric
19th to 20th Century