Asmat Box 7
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8
| Catalog # | Name | Description | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2000.2.107 | Carving, ancestor | This is a wooden Asmat carving depicting two female human individuals embracing each other in a seated position. It measures 21x9x4 and is completely unpainted. It is comprised of very dark heavy wood with little exposed grain. The right figure is in a seated position with face facing forwards. The figure on the left is in a standing position with face facing to the right. The hands of the left figure are grasping onto the hips of the left figure, and the hands of the right figure are grasping the elbows of the right figure. The legs of the right figure are attached to the upper legs of the left figure. At the base of the carving is a stylized cassowary head, as indicated by the curved beak. Both figures are female based on the carvings located on the upper portion of the chest. The faces of both figures are very featureless and have little definition. Carved lines decorate the bodies of both figures as stylized musculature. Carvings such as this often depict ancestor individuals for the artists who produced them. These are produced for events such as funeral rituals, ceremonial festivals, and building dedications. The spirits of the ancestors are believed to take an active role in the mortal world and are often associated with artistic images and symbols. Once the primary function of an ancestor carving is completed, they are often discarded in the rainforest so that the spirits which inhabit them rejuvenate the sago trees. Colors: Brown, Black |
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| 2 | 2000.2.109 | Carving, ancestor | This is a wooden Asmat carving possibly intended for placement on a bis pole. The entire piece is covered in a chalky white pigment, with accents painted in black and red. The carving features three human forms contorted into abstract shapes which form a curved rectangular frame. Each human form shares similar characteristics and are all depicted as being on their elbows and knees. Much of the red and black paint is intact, but much of the white paint has since faded with time or exposure. Carvings such as this are traditionally intended to be placed atop bis poles, which serve important ceremonial functions in Asmat culture. Whenever an individual dies, a bis pole depicting all the ancestors of the deceased is erected outside of their home. The poles remain in place until a headhunting raid has been undertaken to restore the balance which was disrupted by the individual’s death. Death in Asmat society was never accidental and was believed to be the result of either enemy headhunting or enemy sorcery. After the deceased had been avenged, the carvings and bis poles would be discarded in the rainforest so that the spirits which inhabited them could rejuvenate the sago trees. Colors: White, Red, Brown, Black |
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| 3 | 2000.2.34 | Shield | This is a wooden Asmat war shield decorated with geometric designs and capped with a depiction of a human figure. The base of the piece is painted in white, while the designs and accents are painted in a combination of black and red. The back of the shield is painted in white with cross section orange stripes. The front of the shield has three X-shaped geometric designs carved in relief on the surface. At the top of the shield is a bar which is painted black. At the middle of the top is a stylized human female carving, likely the image of an ancestor of the carver/wielder. The figure is roughly carved and features basic design elements common to Asmat art. On the rear surface of the shield is a handle which slopes up from the surface, forming a crescent shape. The handle is undecorated. Shields such as this are an important facet of Asmat warrior culture, particularly in the headhunting raids performed between communities. Each shield is carved by its wielder, who also carves the image of an ancestor figure in the piece to grant spiritual protection in battle. They are carved from a single piece of wood, often taken from the sago tree. Headhunting raids were a common occurrence, as they were believed to be the only means of restoring balance to a community in which members had died. Shields are highly tailored to the individual and serve important functions for both physical and spiritual protection. Colors: Red, White, Brown, Black |
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| 4 | 2000.2.44 | Carving, ancestor | This is a wooden Asmat carving of an individual male with the head of another human individual. The entire piece is composed of dark red wood which is largely unpainted. The only painted portions on the piece are accents which denote musculature. There is considerable patina buildup on the interior surfaces of the piece, but there is relatively little external damage. The main figure is standing in a crouched position with arms bent upwards so that the hands connect with the underside of their chin. All along the body are carved lines which outline muscle definition. The head of the figure is flat and features an open mouth with a tongue, round eyes, and stunted nose which is pierced all the way through. The top of the head is carved in the style of hair, which is painted black. At the waist is characteristic male genitalia. Attached to the bottom of the figure’s feet is the head of another individual of unspecified sex. This head is rounder, but shares the same features as the main figure. At the midsection of the main figure is a protruding navel. |
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| 5 | 2000.2.51 | Carving, ancestor | 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 |
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| 6 | 2000.2.62 | Carving | This is a wooden Asmat carving depicting a female human figure holding a New Guinea crocodile. It is covered in a white pigmentation, with accents on both the human figure and the crocodile painted in red. The piece has suffered damage along the interior and shows signs of exposure in its faded paint layers. The human figure features a very roughly carved face, with lopsided eyes and ears. The face has a wide open mouth, pointed nose, and lines carved into the cheeks. The top of the head is painted black. Along the body and limbs of the human figure are carved lines indicating musculature. The figure has arms bent upwards holding the head of the crocodile between their hands. Their legs are bent and connect with the crocodile at the knees and feet. The crocodile is larger than the human and features symmetrical carved lines across its body. The tail is extremely detailed, with a grid pattern of scales carved in relief. The eyes are carved on the top of its flat head, and it features a long snout with no teeth. Its front legs connect with the human figure’s forearms, and its rear legs connect with the human figure’s knees. Crocodiles form an important part of Asmat society, as they are abundant in the rivers and waterways on which Asmat communities are built. Alongside other animals, such as the hornbill and the cassowary, crocodiles are often featured prominently in Asmat art as a representation of the natural world and human connection with nature and fertility. Colors: White, Red, Brown |
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| 7 | 2000.2.89 | Carving, ancestor | This is a wooden Asmat carving depicting two female human individuals embracing in opposite directions. The entire piece is unpainted and is comprised of very dark wood with little showing grain. Both of the individuals are very featureless and rugged in their design. The female sex of the figures can be determined by the characteristic female genitalia carved between the legs. The figures are connected to each other at their head and feet, with their feet resting atop the head of the other. They are smiling and feature sunken eyes. The hands of both figures are clasped around the waist of the other. It is unclear what is being depicted in this carving due to the lack of detail. Carvings such as this are often produced for ceremonial or commemorative purposes within Asmat communities. This particular piece may represent deceased individuals or a moment worthy of recognition in an individual’s life. The meaning of this carving is not entirely clear, but it is very characteristic of similar carvings produced in the Asmat artistic culture. Colors: Brown, Black |
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| 8 | 2000.2.90 | Carving, ancestor | This is a wooden Asmat ancestral carving produced in Papua New Guinea in the late twentieth century. It depicts a human figure standing over the decapitated head of a foe, most likely the result of a successful headhunting ritual. The entire piece is unpainted and consists of very dark brown wood. The figure stands with joined feet atop which rests the head of the fallen victim. The upper figure is hunched over the head with the hands holding a tool or weapon between them. The eyes of the standing figure are sunken, with similar sunken facial features. The decapitated head has a look of no emotion and features plain characteristics. Headhunting was an integral part of life in Asmat culture until the late twentieth century. Before foreign missionaries suppressed the practice, many Asmat communities used headhunting as a means of avenging deaths of their members. Death in Asmat society is always unnatural in nature. It is believed to be the result of hostile magic, evil spirits, or unseen attacks by an enemy. In order to resolve the imbalance in society caused by a death, family members of the deceased are encouraged to participate in headhunting rituals. Once an enemy head has been brought back, it is put on display for spiritualistic purposes. The cycle of retaliation and vengeance was perpetual in Papua New Guinea until headhunting was phased out before the turn of the millennium. Carvings such as this likely depict the aftermath of a successful headhunt and are produced both as a commemoration of the event and as an appeasement of the spirits. Colors: Brown, Black |
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