124-A3-Top
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4
| Catalog # | Name | Description | ||
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| 1 | 2000.2.10 | Platter | This is a ceremonial wooden Asmat sago platter produced in Papua New Guinea in the late twentieth century. It features a large oval platter capped with a handle decorated in the image of a human head. The piece is painted in variations of red, white, and black pigments, with many portions retaining only fragments of the original paint. In the center of the plate are two stylized heads, both of which point away from the handle. The head itself bears simplistic characteristics with red painted eyes, mouth, and ears. The head is painted in black and the base of the face in white. Color in Asmat society is very important and is often associated with mysticism and magic. White is called mbi and is produced by the crushing and burning of mussel shells found in the river. Red paint is called wasah and is made from mixing different river clays, while black is produced as a byproduct of ash and charcoal. Different combinations of colors denote different ideas such as strength, fertility, and mystic power. Platters such as this were typically produced for both the everyday consumption of roasted sago palm and Capricorn beetles in the community house, called the jeu. In ceremonial instances, however, they would also often be used to consume the brains of enemies killed in headhunting raids. The brains were collected in order to avenge a death in a particular community and were widely believed to give the consumer the deceased’s power. The practice was banned by foreign missionaries in the late twentieth century, at which point Capricorn beetles took the place of human brains as the ceremonial meal. The head designs on this particular piece may point to its use in headhunting rituals at some point in time. Colors: Red, White, Black, Brown |
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| 2 | 2000.2.15 | Platter | This is a wooden sago platter carved by the Asmat cultural group of Papua New Guinea during the late twentieth century. It features an oblong decorated platter capped with a handle decorated in the image of a human head. The main body is carved with symmetrical geometric designs commonly found in Asmat art of this type, with inset portions painted in variations of red, white, and black pigments. The upper and lower portions of the piece have suffered an erosion of their original white paint, leaving a layer of patina buildup present. The handle itself is decorated with a protruding chin, shallow eyes, and wide mouth. The eyes and mouth are painted in red, while the face structure is painted in a worn white. The chin and top of the head are painted black, and the nose remains unpainted. The head features a close-cropped hairstyle and detailed ears. Colors in Asmat culture are widely considered to have magical properties associated with them. White is called mbi and is created from the crushing and burning of river mussel shells. Red pigments are called wasah and are created from the mixing of clays from riverbeds, forming a deep rust color. Different combinations of color denote different ideas within Asmat society such as strength, fertility, and mysticism. Sago platters form a staple of Asmat ethnographic art and are important in understanding Asmat cultural history. Prior to the intervention of outside missionaries in the late twentieth century, platters would commonly have been used in the ritual of headhunting. In headhunting rituals, slain enemy brains would be served at ceremonial occasions within the community house, the jeu. After this practice had been phased out, Capricorn beetles and roasted sago palm supplanted the function of platters such as this. Many are often also repurposed later in their lives as paint mixture basins, evident by the large amounts of white mbi residue on the hollowed surfaces. Colors: White, Red, Black, Brown |
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| 3 | 2000.2.22 | Platter | This is a wooden sago platter carved by Asmat ethnographic artists in Papua New Guinea during the late twentieth century. It features an oblong platter body capped with a handle decorated in the style of a human head. The curved surface features elaborate carvings of sago tree fronds painted in variations of red, white, and black pigments. The reverse hollowed surface features a large deposit of worn white pigment with a cross section painted in bright red. The head itself is very simplistic, with little feature definition. The mouth, eyes, and ears are painted in red, while the rest of the face bears only some remnants of white pigment which has since faded with time. There is considerably little patina, with only paint fragments found throughout the piece’s surface. Color plays an important role in Asmat society and carried across tribal distinctions. White is known as mbi and is created by the crushing and burning of river mussel shells. Red is called wasah and is created by mixing various different clays found in upstream riverbeds. Black is a base color, formed from ash and charcoal byproducts. Color in Asmat society is widely believed to have magical properties, with different patterns denoting ideas such as strength, fertility, and mysticism. Prior to the intervention of foreign missionaries in the late twentieth century, platters such as this were often associated with the practice of headhunting. After headhunting raids had been performed, a fallen enemy’s brain matter would be served in ceremonial means in the community house, the jeu, on platters. This ritual was widely associated with rejuvenation and fertility ideals. After this practice was phased out, the consumption of Capricorn beetles and roasted sago palm took over the functionality of platters. As their lives went on, platters were sometimes transitioned to serving as basins for the mixing of pigments for further decoration. Asmat carved objects are intended for long use, meaning that everything has a practical application over time. Colors: White, Red, Black, Brown |
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| 4 | 2005.6.1 | Ship, Model | Four parts: a. Scale model of a sailing Micronesian boat. Has three sails, the largest positioned in the middle. Rigging is string attached to the sails and boat by wire hooks and through holes bored into the support beams of the sails. Model has three decks at different levels. Carved ladder connects the upper level decks. Rails surround the lowest deck. A small metal anchor hangs off the back end of the boat, while the opposite side a small launch is strung off the side by wire. Decorative carvings of flowers or pin-wheel shapes adorn sides of boat. b. Wooden plank. c. Wooden sail, also with carvings. d. Wooden stand. Color: TN,WH |
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