Specifications

• Height: 11,5 cm
• Material: wood
• Position: squatting
• Gender: male
• Indigenous name: aiwo

Provenance

The amulet has a white inscribed text reading ‘L. 1699/1246  111826 Kibler Hol. N.G. Waropen‘, Bruce Frank Primitive Art, New York

Publications

Ref.: Held, G.J. (1957). The Papuas of Waropen, 239-244

Additional information

Generally taken for fishing or fisher’s amulets, these sticks with or without an anthropomorphic figure on top were applied for various purposes and were locally seen as medicine. On raiding expeditions men hung these amulets around their neck. They may act as charms to coix the ‘impersonal powers’, the ancestors to assist in heavy undertakings.

The present item is fine work of carving using negative space to full effect.

Photo credits

Bruce Frank, New York