Ancestral Figure (Ngwalndu)

Artist:Abelam

Medium: Wood, pigment

Geograhical Locations:

• Maprik area, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

Dates:20th century

Dimensions: 146 x 14 x 14 in. (370.8 x 35.6 x 35.6 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: 81.164.2

Image: 81.164.2_installation_bw.jpg,

Catalogue Description:
Ceremonial house ("tambaran") figure is monumental in scale. At the top there is a male figure with two hornbill heads on top of the figure's head. All of the figure's anatomical details are clearly indicated. At his feet there is a small four-legged animal. Pigment traces. Condition: Fairly extensive surface erosion from top to bottom. Below the small animal there appears to have been another form that has been broken off. Checking throughout, particularly on left side of figure in head and abdomen region. Mounted on a black metal modern stand.

Brooklyn Museum