Amulet, 20th Century
Gaua Island, Banks Islands, Torba Province, Vanuatu, Melanesia
Stone; 13…

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.

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