This is a wooden decorative sago platter of Asmat origin, likely produced in Papua New Guinea in the late twentieth century. It features elaborately carved decorations, particularly around the center and periphery. The entire piece is unpainted and maintains a very dark brown color. At the center of the piece is an oval platter rimmed with elaborate geometric patterns. Either end terminates in a pointed head, the bottom one of which has suffered damage. Protruding from each end of the platter is a large male human figure, as denoted by the characteristic phallic imagery. Both figures stand with their feet resting on the platter and their arms resting on their hips. Each figure features different carvings along their body, possibly denoting different individuals or community affiliations. The figures’ faces are simply carved with a great deal of emotion present in their features.
Platters such as this hold a largely ceremonial role in Asmat society. Compared with other sago platters which served a practical purpose in everyday life, this piece is very clearly an object reserved for special occasions. It is plausible that during the age of headhunting, this platter would have been used to serve the brains of fallen enemies at a ceremonial dinner in the community house, the jeu. The practice of headhunting was banned by foreign missionaries in the late twentieth century, at which point the consumption of Capricorn beetles largely supplanted the consumption of human brains as the ceremonial meal. It is unclear whether this particular piece would have undergone a transformation in usage such as this, or if it remained unused after headhunting was phased out. The dark coloration of the exterior is indicative of long exposure to smoke inside a home, suggesting that it may have been out of practical use for a prolonged period of time.
Colors: Brown, Black