Doorjamb (Jovo)
Arts of the Pacific Islands
CULTURE
Kanak
MEDIUM
Wood
DATES
early 20th century
DIMENSIONS
63 x 23 x 7 1/2 in. (160 x 58.4 x 19.1 cm) (show scale)
COLLECTIONS
Arts of the Pacific Islands
ACCESSION NUMBER
52.124
CREDIT LINE
Anonymous gift
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
This New Caledonia Kanak doorjamb consists of a rectangular plank (tale) with a slightly carved surface as it was carved from part of a tree trunk. The top third position of the tale is carved into a representation of a face, which is painted black. A horizontal band incised with converging chevrons is carved across the forehead which terminates in a point immediately above the nose. Two almond-shaped eyes, consisting of two deeply carved concentric bands, are nestled under the overhanging forehead and above the expansive nose that curves downward into a sharp point and in flanked by flaring rounded nostrils. The interior surface of the nostril is painted red. The mouth is wide and rectangular in shape and the recessed area is painted red.
On the remaining surface of the doorjamb are carved three vertical rows of diamond shapes. The shape of each diamond is echoed by a series of concentric parallel lines which create a continuous pattern carved in deep relief across the lower portion of the jamb. The diamonds are painted black while the parallel lines are painted red.
From accession card:
This painted wooden house post was used as a doorjamb in the entrance of the house. The house was circular with a high conical roof that was thatched. At the top of the roof were spire-carvings. Carved planks served as door jambs (tale) and the lintels, skills, and some of the side posts (giroues) in the interior were also carved. A cedar-like wood was used and the tale was carved from parts of a tree trunk as can be seen from the still slightly curved surface. At the death of the head of the family, the house was destroyed and the carvings 'killed' by mutilation. The top third of this rectangular post is carved in a face which is painted black. On top of the forehead is a horizontal band with incised chevrons. The overhanging forehead comes to a triangle over the nose. The two coffee bean eyes are deeply carved in two concentric bands under the brow. The heavy nose is triangular with a pointed tip and two wide flaring rounded nostrils. The nostrils are painted red in the inside. The mouth is wide and rectangular and painted red in the depressed portion. There is no indication of lips. Slight modeling of the cheeks may be seen at the sides of the mouth, and there is moiling of the chin. The chin projects in a semi-lunar shape. The remaining two-thirds of the house post is decorated with deep relief carving of diamond shapes in a concentric, continuous overall pattern. The innermost diamond is painted black while the rest is all red.
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Kanak. Doorjamb (Jovo), early 20th century. Wood, 63 x 23 x 7 1/2 in. (160 x 58.4 x 19.1 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Anonymous gift, 52.124. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 52.124_acetate_bw.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 52.124_acetate_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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