Male ancestor figure "kawe"

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Description

heavy wood, reddish brown patina, traces of black paint, elongated forms, accentuated joints (elbows and knees), “hanging” feet, the spine accentuated by raised ornament, teeth-revealing mouth with the tongue stuck out, pierced nose for attachment of ornament, slightly dam., cracks (left face half, breast), rep. (right forearm);
such figures are carved for the building of a new Men’s House and are left to decay after the inauguration ceremonies. They represent the first humans, or “asmat”. In the Creation myth, a great cultural heroe “fumeripit” carved many large human figures. As he began to play his drum, the figures came to life as the original people and formed the first clans.

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Comparing literature

Meyer, Anthony J.P., Ozeanische Kunst, Vol. I, Köln 1995, p. 83, ill. 62

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