This is a wooden Asmat platter carved in the likeness of a dugout canoe. The entire piece is unpainted and is made of very dark wood with very visible vertical grain. Both ends of the platter are pointed to resemble the prows of canoes, with one elongated and one blunted somewhat. The underside of the platter is carved in a very symmetrical geometric pattern representing the scales on a crocodile, common animals along the waterways of Papua New Guinea. The blunted end can be interpreted as the crocodile’s tail and the other as the snout, although both are undecorated. There is some weathering on the curved surface of the piece, showing lighter coloring underneath the dark brown finish.
Platters such as this are often carved for ceremonial purposes in Asmat society. When the practice of headhunting was commonplace, they were often used to serve the brains of enemies killed in headhunting raids, as it was believed that the brains held fertility essence. Many platters of this kind are carved in the likeness of canoes to demonstrate the interconnectedness of Asmat individuals with their canoes and the essential role that the crafts play in society. Crocodiles are also common artistic staples in Asmat culture, as they are common in the rainforests.
Colors: Brown, Black