Ancestral Figure (Ngwalndu)

Artist:AbelamArapesh

Medium: Wood, pigment

Geograhical Locations:

• Kamangan Village, Maprik area, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

Dates:20th century

Dimensions: 83 1/2 x 15 1/2 x 8 1/4 in. (212.1 x 39.4 x 21 cm)

Collections:

• Arts of the Pacific Islands

Exhibitions:

• In Pursuit of the Spiritual: Oceanic Art Given by Mr. and Mrs. John A. Friede and Mrs. Melville W. Hall

Accession Number: 86.229.10

Image: 86.229.10_front_bw.jpg,

Catalogue Description:
Tambaran figure. Ceremonial house figure form of a wooden openwork plaque-shaped structure with an anthropomorphic figure in the central section. The body of the figure is a thin vertical shaft with opposing hooks, one in the middle and three at the base. There is a concave disk just above the hooks at the base. The nose is pierced. The figure is flanked on either side by 5 and 6 avian heads, on right and left side respectively. Traces of red, white black and ochre paint throughout. The figure has two thin splayed, hook-shaped legs. Ears are pierced. Verso is plain. Condition: Crack on left side of head at top. Numerous vertical checks extending from top of head through face into chin region. Slight pitting on right side of plaque and at base. Slight erosion throughout.

Brooklyn Museum