Ancestor figure "kawe" ·  Papua New Guinea, Asmat, Biwarlaut · ID: 3039001

Description

stained blackish-brown patina, small traces of red and white pigment, squatting male figure which shows the bearing of a praying mantis (“wenet” motif), carved with bladebones, ankles and ribs, remains of an old collection number at the right temple “5368” (nearly unreadable because of scratches), slightly dam., fine crack, abrasion of paint, traces of old age;
the so-called “wenet” motif can be looked upon as the symbol for head hunting par excellence, because the female of that kind of insects bites off the males head after copulation.