Bed leg in shape of a female half figure "patapat" ·  Papua New Guinea - Bismarck Archipelago - Admirality Islands · ID: 3039923

Description

wood, middle brown patina, accents in white and red pigment, rising from cylindrical base, disc-shaped headcrest cut, slightly dam., missing part (right ear), abrasion of paint;
“patapats” form part of the brides dowry. Feastful adorned sitting on a “patapat” the bride was carried to her future husbands house. The beds played an important role at burial rites as well.