This is a wooden Asmat ancestor carving depicting a female human individual with bent knees and arms. The entire piece is unpainted and is composed of dark red wood with very visible grain. The individual is female based on the characteristic female genitalia carved at the interior of the waist. The features of the body are very geometric. The legs and arms are joined together as two separate units. The arm is bent upwards with hands touching the neck. The knees are bent with feet flatly extended. The face is very basic, without much definition or detail.
It is unlikely that this piece was part of a bis pole, as it does not possess the structural characteristics of such pieces. It was likely produced for another purpose related to the worship of ancestral spirits, which plays a key role in Asmat religious belief systems. The spirits of ancestors are believed to have an active role in the mortal world and are often associated with mystical images, symbols, and colors. Ancestor carvings are produced for funeral rites, ceremonial festivals, and building dedications. Once the primary function of the carvings has been accomplished, they are often discarded in the rainforest so that their spirits rejuvenate the sago trees.
Colors: Brown, Black