Suspension hook

Description

wood, red and white pigment, traces of black, disc-shaped base with four thorn-like projections, the free standing figure of an ancestor spirit in the centre, adorned with incised and painted ornaments, drilled hole for suspension, slightly dam. (vertical crack: right side of head/body and base), pedestal.
In the most areas of Melanesia suspension hooks belong to “household articles”. They are fixed to the ceiling by lianas and can be pulled up and down. They serve to hang up baskets and nets with food or important utensils in order to protect them against mice and rats.