124-A5-Top | UNI Museum @ Rod Library

Displaying 1 - 7 of 7

	Catalog #	Name	Description
1	1977.47.24	Box	Chest made in Salta, Argentina from the wood of the giant cactus "Cardon", natural yellow-brown color, porous wood texture on outer surfaces, hinged top with brass fittings and lock.
2	2000.2.25	Platter	This is an oblong wooden Asmat platter carved in the likeness of a dugout canoe, likely carved in Papua New Guinea in the latter half of the twentieth century. The entire piece is unpainted and is made of dark wood. The interior of the platter is undecorated, but the sides and exterior surfaces are carved in a highly intricate geometric pattern. At the end is a prow fashioned in the image of a male figure’s head, rendered in a minimalist design. The carvings along the sides and bottom of the piece appear to depict a geometric stylized plant, tree, or fern. Pieces such as this are produced by the Asmat peoples for practical and ceremonial eating purposes. Traditionally, platters are used to serve roasted balls of sago during meals, which is a staple of Asmat cuisine. On ceremonial occasions, some platters and bowls would also be used to consume the brains of headhunted enemies as a rite of passage. Headhunting in Asmat culture is most prominently associated with notions of fertility and vitality and was commonplace for much of the civilization’s history. The practice was banned by missionaries in the late twentieth century, at which point the consumption of ceremonial Capricorn beetles rose in popularity as an alternative. The beetles are common in sago forests and their larvae strongly resemble human brain matter, likely contributing to their popularity. The canoe shape of pieces such as this represents the connection that Asmat peoples have with the rivers and with their canoes. Canoes are the primary mode of transportation throughout the rainforest, and are an essential part of life in many communities. Platters and bowls are often carved so that they blend the forms of men and canoes, symbolizing the connections they have with life and fertility. Colors: Brown, Black
3	2000.2.70	Figure, Religious	This is a rectangular wooden Asmat carving depicting two individuals, seated in opposite directions but connecting at the back. It is painted entirely in white, black, and red chalky pigments which dust off easily. Around both of the figures is a round rectangular frame which holds them in place. The larger of the two figures is crouched on the right side, with feet and hands connected to the outside frame. The smaller of the two figures is upside down and is attached to the back of the larger figure at the glutes. This figure is in a crouched position, with feet attached to the back of the larger figure’s head and hands stretched downwards and attached to the outside frame. Both figures feature carved lines on their limbs, torso, and head, possibly as a stylized depiction of musculature. Both feature red paint along these lines and around the facial features. Both also have black painted hair. The biological sex of the figures is ambiguous due to the lack of characteristic genitalia carvings. On the upper left quadrant of the piece are two animal heads, a hornbill in the lower portion and a crocodile in the upper portion. Both animals are populous in Papua New Guinea, particularly along the rivers and waterways on which many Asmat communities are built. Carvings such as this are produced in Asmat society for ceremonial events and for ancestral/spiritual worship. Typically, they depict the ancestral figures of the artist who produces them in ways that honor them and grant mystical power. Carvings such as this are produced for events such as building dedications, ceremonial festivals, and funeral events. After their primary function has been fulfilled, carvings are often discarded in the rainforests so that the spirits which inhabit them may rejuvenate the sago trees. Colors: White, Black, Red, Brown
4	2017-1-10	Talisman	God's Eye Talisman. Carvings throughout the length and a feather attached at the top of the God's Eye.
5	2017-1-11	Talisman	God's Eye Talisman. Carvings throughout the length and a feather attached at the top of the God's Eye.
6	2017-1-8	Blowgun	Wooden blowgun wrapped in wicker. Darts with side holder attached with string and plant fibers. 5 Darts with cotton ball attached 1 inch away from the tip. One partial dart.
7	2017-1-9	Talisman	God's Eye Talisman. Carvings throughout the length and a feather attached at the top of the God's Eye.