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Ancestral Figure (Korwar)

Arts of the Pacific Islands

Korwar figures serve to keep surviving relatives in contact with their deceased ancestors and thus always able to secure their powerful blessings. They serve as a medium of communication between the living and the dead. Korwars may be standing or squatting figures. The heads are large in relation to the highly abstract bodies; the chin is usually straight, horizontal, and broad; and the nose is the most prominent facial feature. This highly unusual double figure holds a shield (now partially eroded). The shield has been said to derive from the snake, which in turn represents rejuvenation and regeneration, a key idea in the religion of the people of Cenderawasih Bay.
MEDIUM Wood
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS
DATES early 20th century
DIMENSIONS 8 3/4 x 6 x 5 1/4 in. (22.2 x 15.2 x 13.3 cm)  (show scale)
INSCRIPTIONS La Korrigaine expedition marking, D.39.3/1018
ACCESSION NUMBER 62.18.2
CREDIT LINE Frank L. Babbott Fund
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Korwar (mortuary figure). Carving is that of two figures, male and female, holding a stylized snake, each figure with one arm on a snake and the other arm on the free arm of the other figure. Male figure wears a tiny cap on top of his head. Condition: completely worm eaten around lower section. Top is in good condition.
MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
CAPTION Ancestral Figure (Korwar), early 20th century. Wood, 8 3/4 x 6 x 5 1/4 in. (22.2 x 15.2 x 13.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Frank L. Babbott Fund, 62.18.2. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 62.18.2_SL1.jpg)
IMAGE overall, 62.18.2_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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