Bai Model, mid 20th Century
Jimmy Mtoched (Palauan); Palau, Micronesia
Wood; 5 1/4 × 3 × 12 1…

Model Bai

ClassificationsSculpture-models

Artist Jimmy Mtoched

Datemid 20th Century

Made AtPalau

Collection SitePalau

MediumWood

Dimensions5 1/4 × 3 × 12 1/2 in. (13.3 × 7.6 × 31.8 cm)

Credit LineGift of Frieda O. Wray from the Estate of Dr. & Mrs. Douglas and Carolyn Osborne

Object number2019.17.4

DescriptionThis is a wooden model of a traditional Palauan bai made by an apprentice carver named Jimmy Mtoched in 1969. In Palau, it was common for most villages to have more than one bai constructed. The "bai er a rubak" is a traditional meeting house for the rubak, male chiefly elder, to deliberate on political issues such as warfare, fishing expeditions and building construction. At times it also served as the "bai er a beluu," a community center for feasts, dance festivities and other special community functions. The "bai er a cheldebechel" was often located at the entrance of the village and was exclusive for men to congregate when they were not working.

According to the donor, Jimmy Mtoched was a student of a well- known carver named John Paul. Mtoched often visited the donor bringing carved creations designed or started by Paul. Eventually Mtoched started to sell his own carved work and served as a “steady source” for the donor. During the donor’s stay in Palau, her father, Dr. Douglas Osborne was a member of the Palau Museum (now Belau National Museum) and helped establish Palau Museum Men’s Meeting House— known colloquially as the "bai ra ngesechel ar cherchar." The bai first opened in 1969 on Koror Island and was built by Ngaratabelik, a men’s group from Ngeremlengui, using traditional Palauan methods of bai building. The original bai was tragically destroyed by a fire in 1978 and replaced by a modern-built bai in the early 1990s.

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