Iatmul Statue – Papua New Guinea

Iatmul Statue – Papua New Guinea Old ancestral cult statue presenting a man seated on a stool, his hands placed wisely on his knees. Beautiful and peaceful expression of the face, whose eyes are formed of two shells (cowrie shells). The powerful nose sculpted in relief ends with characteristic dilated nostrils, it is pierced with a shell buckle. Around the neck hangs a very beautiful and fine necklace in braided plant fibers finished with several elegant shell elements. Beautiful old polychromy, drawings on the body. Wood split naturally in various places.
REGION: Iatmul people. Sepik River region. Papua New Guinea
MATERIAL: Wood, pigments, shells
PERIOD: 19th or 20th century
HEIGHT: 53 cm WIDTH: 14.5 cm
(Base)
Inventory number: OC021