Male ancestor figure "kandimboang" ·  Papua New Guinea - Sepik · ID: 3037637

Description

wood, dyed with red pigment, prominent beak-like nose, accentuated gender, drilled holes for ear ornament, slightly dam., continuous crack (right side), abrasion of paint;
the so-called “beak style” is characteristic for many sculptures from the lower Sepik area and refers to the close connection between man and bird. In the peoples religious belief the bird is regarded as bearer of man’s soul into the afterworld (“soul bird”).