Large food bowl ·  Papouasie-Nouvelle-Guinée - Golfe de Huon, province de Morobe, îles Tami · ID: 3051694

Description

wood, lime,

While the meaning of the animal iconography on some Tami bowls is unknown, it is certain that the human faces and figures represent spirits associated with families, clans, or villages. (Minneapolis Institute of Art)

The anthropomorphic face at each end of this bowl, wearing a horn-like headdress, is probably a benevolent spirit called a “balum”.