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Object Number 61-53-70/3947
Display Title Carved wooden ancestor figure (kawe) - 32" high
Descriptions
Object Description Carved wooden ancestor figure (kawe) - 32" high Narrow, thin female figure with hands on stomach. Carving includes a diamond pattern in relief on the upper legs and back, aymmetrical curvilinear and hatched designs inscribed on arms and chest, and a running figure in relief on the upper chest. Parallel curved lines are carved on the back of the P.R. shoulder. The head is wide at the jaw and pointed at the top. A smiling, toothy open mouth, sharp nose and closed/downturned eyes dominate the face. Orange pigment is present on the eyes, nose, ears, and eyebrows. The wood is roughly carved and stained a dark grey color.
Inventory Description Carved wood, standing female nude figure, carved curvilinear designs over body, anthropomorphic design on chest, black pigment overall, red and white pigment on face, charcoal residue encrusted within designs
Classification
  • Figurine
Department Ethnographic
Culture
  • Asmat
Geography/Provenience/Site Name
Oceania / Indonesia / Western New Guinea / Irian Jaya / New Guinea / Village of Otsjanep
Dimensions Overall: 83 × 15 × 12 cm (32 11/16 × 5 7/8 × 4 3/4 in.)
Quantity 1
Label on object 61-53-70/3947

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