Description
A LARGE CARVED WOOD ANCESTOR FIGURE Papua Selatan, Indonesian New Guinea (Central New Guinea), Asmat H. 192 cm Ancestor figure with loincloth and breast ornament from Central New Guinea, made integrally from one trunk. In terms of its provenance, the figurine comes from the Asmat region in Central New Guinea (Papua Selatan). The hook-shaped base, which is also used as a hook for depositing everyday objects (bags, fish traps, etc.), represents a rudimentary boat and is reminiscent of the mythical tradition of the ancestors' origin ‘from the sea’. The pronounced ribs subtly hint at the reference to the afterlife (ancestors have slightly skeletal features), while the neck ornament made of pig tusks suggests high status and initiation rituals. The elegantly curved lines of the facial features, forming oval areas, indicate the contours of the skull (ancestral skulls are a well-known cultural element in Melanesia). Further to the north-east, especially in the Yatmul region on the Sepik, the oval structures are sometimes very distinct. A hybrid bird-man figure and a bird are recognisable in the neck, suggesting a mythical ancestor and bringer of culture (dema deity). The style of this figure, especially the ‘beak’, is typical of the Sepik region and shows cross-cultural characteristics. The prominent eyes of the main figure protrude pencil-like from the concave face. Small figures emerge from the shoulders, the symbolically implied offspring. This element is also known from Polynesia. The sculptures of Melanesia and Polynesia are visualisations of ancestors and establish a connection to deceased family members in order to receive help, protection and security. The ancestor figures enable the Papuans to maintain constant contact with their ancestors. This is why they can be found around the houses, where they are incorporated into daily life (standing figures by the fireplace, as hanging hooks for their net bags, etc.). The individual design of a figure is characterised on the one hand by the visual tradition of the tribal culture and on the other hand by the personal memories, striking characteristics of the person/ancestor depicted and the hope of being able to influence the reality of life in accordance with wishes, expectations and positive visions. The Asmat (‘people of the tree’) are an ethnic group with around 65,000 members who inhabit an area the size of Belgium in the south of the Indonesian part of the island of New Guinea in the province of Papua Selatan. There are five related Asmat languages, which in turn are subdivided into dialects and subdialects. The Mimika region borders to the west and the Sawi region to the east. In the north, the southern foot of the Maoke Mountains forms a natural border. The main means of transport across the numerous rivers is the dugout canoe; external contacts are made via charter flights and irregular boat traffic across the Arafura Sea. From an old German private collection, acquired in the 1980s - Minor traces of age, partly slightly chipped
1525
A LARGE CARVED WOOD ANCESTOR FIGURE Papua Selatan, Indonesian New Guinea (Central New Guinea), Asmat H. 192 cm Ancestor figure with loincloth and breast ornament from Central New Guinea, made integrally from one trunk. In terms of its provenance, the figurine comes from the Asmat region in Central New Guinea (Papua Selatan). The hook-shaped base, which is also used as a hook for depositing everyday objects (bags, fish traps, etc.), represents a rudimentary boat and is reminiscent of the mythical tradition of the ancestors' origin ‘from the sea’. The pronounced ribs subtly hint at the reference to the afterlife (ancestors have slightly skeletal features), while the neck ornament made of pig tusks suggests high status and initiation rituals. The elegantly curved lines of the facial features, forming oval areas, indicate the contours of the skull (ancestral skulls are a well-known cultural element in Melanesia). Further to the north-east, especially in the Yatmul region on the Sepik, the oval structures are sometimes very distinct. A hybrid bird-man figure and a bird are recognisable in the neck, suggesting a mythical ancestor and bringer of culture (dema deity). The style of this figure, especially the ‘beak’, is typical of the Sepik region and shows cross-cultural characteristics. The prominent eyes of the main figure protrude pencil-like from the concave face. Small figures emerge from the shoulders, the symbolically implied offspring. This element is also known from Polynesia. The sculptures of Melanesia and Polynesia are visualisations of ancestors and establish a connection to deceased family members in order to receive help, protection and security. The ancestor figures enable the Papuans to maintain constant contact with their ancestors. This is why they can be found around the houses, where they are incorporated into daily life (standing figures by the fireplace, as hanging hooks for their net bags, etc.). The individual design of a figure is characterised on the one hand by the visual tradition of the tribal culture and on the other hand by the personal memories, striking characteristics of the person/ancestor depicted and the hope of being able to influence the reality of life in accordance with wishes, expectations and positive visions. The Asmat (‘people of the tree’) are an ethnic group with around 65,000 members who inhabit an area the size of Belgium in the south of the Indonesian part of the island of New Guinea in the province of Papua Selatan. There are five related Asmat languages, which in turn are subdivided into dialects and subdialects. The Mimika region borders to the west and the Sawi region to the east. In the north, the southern foot of the Maoke Mountains forms a natural border. The main means of transport across the numerous rivers is the dugout canoe; external contacts are made via charter flights and irregular boat traffic across the Arafura Sea. From an old German private collection, acquired in the 1980s - Minor traces of age, partly slightly chipped
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