Male ancestor figure "kandimboang", collected around 1890

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Description

wood, encrusted reddish brown patina, fine work of carving, with prominent beak-like nose and fine grooved ornamental decor, slightly dam., minor missing parts (ears, thighs/calves backside), base;
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”).

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Publications

Galerie Flak (ed.), Rites et Formes de Papouasie Nouvelle-Guinée, Paris 2009, p. 68

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