"Malagan" figure ·  Papua New Guinea - Bismarck Archipelago - New Ireland · ID: 3050182

Description

wood, red, white and black pigment, shell inlay, black clay-like mass, base

The face of this “malagan” is covered with black mass, which is also found on the head, where inserted wooden sticks form the hairstyle. On the chest the figure wears a large, ornamentally decorated “kapkap”, the symbol of clan leaders; the motif of the flying fish is taken up below.