This is a lightweight wooden Asmat carving which depicts two ancestor figures standing atop one another. It is painted in varying shades of white, red, and black chalky pigments over its surface. Both figures depicted feature white bodies and red-painted accents, including facial features and muscle lines. The top figure is female, based on characteristic carvings on the chest. The bottom figure is of ambiguous sex. The bottom figure has suffered damage around the face, with much discoloration and chipping of its paint layers. The top figure is standing on top of the head of the bottom one, with a wide base formed out of their feet. The bottom figure is standing upright with arms extended downwards, grasping a featureless rod which reaches down to the carving base. The top figure is standing in a similar position, holding the head of a hornbill in their hands. The bottom figure is thinner than the top figure, particularly around the chest and midsection.
Ancestral worship plays a highly important role in Asmat culture, as the spirits of ancestors are believed to inhabit the mortal world. They are often called upon by artists to grant them mystical powers through their carvings, such as in war. Carvings depicted ancestors are produced in order to commemorate them and to serve important functions at events such as building dedications and funeral rites. Once the primary function has been fulfilled, they are often discarded in the rainforests so that the spirits may rejuvenate the sago trees.
Colors: White, Red, Black, Brown
