Ancestral Figure (Ngwalndu)

Artist:Abelam

Medium: Wood, pigment

Geograhical Locations:

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

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)

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: 81.164.13

Image: 81.164.13_installation_bw.jpg,

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.

Brooklyn Museum