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Ancestral Figure (Ngwalndu)

Arts of the Pacific Islands

CULTURE Abelam
MEDIUM Wood, pigment
DATES 20th century
DIMENSIONS 137 1/2 x 17 1/4 x 15 1/2 in. (349.3 x 43.8 x 39.4 cm)  (show scale)
ACCESSION NUMBER 81.164.13
CREDIT LINE Gift of Mrs. Melville W. Hall
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Ceremonial house ("tambaran") figures in form of a standing wooden male with traces of red, yellow ochre, black and white paint. Surmounting the top of the figure are two hornbill heads. An avian form is nestled in the elbow of each arm and on top of each foot. Avian heads also appear at top. The figure wears pierced armlets. The round face has oval shaped eyes, broad nose and small mouth. The ears are in the shape of concave disks. Decorative, painted white triangles are visible on each thigh (lender's list #3). Condition: Surface erosion throughout. There is more pigment on left side of figure than on right. Check on left side of face. Several checks on lower front left side of torso. Received with modern metal stand.
MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
CAPTION Abelam. Ancestral Figure (Ngwalndu), 20th century. Wood, pigment, 137 1/2 x 17 1/4 x 15 1/2 in. (349.3 x 43.8 x 39.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mrs. Melville W. Hall, 81.164.13. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 81.164.13_installation_bw.jpg)
IMAGE installation, 81.164.13_installation_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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