Small sculpture "yipwon"

Description

wood, brown patina, remains of black paint, stylized head surrounded by opposed hook shapes, old collection number “326” at the bottom, slightly dam., abrasion of paint, traces of old age, base;
amongst the Yimam and Alamblak people of the Korewori and Blackwater Rivers, “yipwon” are the major war and hunting deities. The smallest ones, like the present, belong to individuals and are used as personal charms. Intermediate-size figures were sometimes taken on raids in the hope that the spirit of the “yipwon” would go ahead of the group and attack the enemy with its magical powers.