Asmat Box 12
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7
| Catalog # | Name | Description | ||
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| 1 | 2000.2.103 | Platter | oval shaped platter, human head carved in handle. Design carved into platter, pigmented red,white, blue. Unpigmented eesign carved into edges. Head has scarifications on cheeks. Color: BR,RD,WH,BK |
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| 2 | 2000.2.3 | Platter | Oblong, oval shaped platter pigmented red, white, black. Turtle head figure carved into handle pigmented red, black. Carved design pigmented red, white, black. Bowl interior white. Designs carved bordering interior. Color: BR,RD,WH,BK |
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| 3 | 2000.2.39 | Carving, ancestor | Five interlocked human figures, one of which is upside down. Joined by feet and hands. Bottom figure elbow rests on down-turned hornbill figure. Some carved desings on bodies. Color: BR |
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| 4 | 2000.2.69 | Carving | Four human figures in rectantular shape, joined back to back and by feet and ears. Each human figure has its arms and feet connected by two hornbill figures. Carved designs on sides and cheeks (scarification). Carbved designs pigmented red. Chins and tops of heads pigmented black. Whole piece remnant white. Color: WH,RD,BK |
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| 5 | 2000.2.79 | Carving | Two human figures. One is crouching, the other is crouching and leaning back. The head and arm of leaning figure is attached to the other's back. Both figures have carved designs on sides of torso, outsides of legs, and cheeks (scarification?). Pierced septums are exaggerated on both figures. Color: BR |
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| 6 | 2000.2.80 | Carving | Two standing human figures. Figures are facing each other. Hands of each figure are attached to the knees of the other. "Arms of the figure cross with the arms of the other figure. Both figures have carved markings on arms, legs, and one of the figures has carvings on one side of torso. Pierced septums are exagerated. Color: BR |
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| 7 | 2000.2.94 | Carving, ancestor | This is a small wooden Asmat plaque shield created in Papua New Guinea in the second half of the twentieth century. It features a wide rectangular body with a decorative headpiece in the form of several human limbs emanating outwards from a stylized centerpiece. The main body is carved in geometric patterns, likely to represent ancestral spirits. The piece contains the remnants of paint layers, with signs of red and black appearing throughout. The dark complexion of the piece indicates that it may have been stored above a fireplace, where the smoke darkened the wood. The top of the piece consists of four limbs, each arrayed in a symmetrical fashion. The two top limbs are grasping a bar of wood which forms the frame of the piece. At the center is an ornamental centerpiece carved with undefined geometric patterns. Pieces such as this likely form a ceremonial role in Asmat society. Like shields, they are carved to depict important cultural elements such as ancestral worship, spirituality, integration with nature, and the value of communal art. The lack of handle or other protrusions on this piece indicates that it was produced for a commemorative purpose as a plaque or decoration for a ritual. Colors: Brown, Black, Red |
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