Grade sculpture ·  Vanuatu, Ambrym · ID: 3034642

Description

tree fern, remains of pigment in the eyeholes, oversized head with protruding forehead and a concave vaulted facial plane, slightly dam. (neck, back, plug-like projection on the head), metal plate;
north and north-central Vanuatu are the classic areas for what is known in the literature as the “graded system”, a complex system whereby a person buys his or her way up a series of increasingly expensive social ranks by means of castrated male tusker pigs, mats and shell money. Grade figures like the present were precondition for acquiring the rank of “maghenehivir”. They were brightly painted with vegetable and mineral colors. A sacred leaf would be placed through its nose, and it would be placed upright under a large complex wooden and bamboo structure, upon whose roof platform the gradetaking male in full painted regalia would dance at the high point of the ritual. Afterwards the large sculpture was placed in front of the mens dwelling place as visible symbol for his high rank of “maghenehivir”.

Comparing literature

Templin, Brigitte, Einblicke in den Bestand der Völkerkundesammlung der Hansestadt Lübeck, Lübeck 2011, p. 293 Newton, Douglas (ed.), Arts of the South Seas, München, London, New York 1999, p. 285 ff.