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Cult object, C-14 dating: 1630–1810 (94.7% probability)
Wood, traces of pigment
73.7 x 19.1 x 22.9 cm (29 x 7 1/2 x 9 in.)
The Marcia and John Friede Collection, a Promised Gift to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco L05.1.217

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Artist Biography: (none) PROVENANCE: Jolika Collection of New Guinea Art PUBLICATIONS: 2005 - "This carving was originally the decorative end of a slit-gong, or garamut in Melanesian Pidgin. It was preserved as a ceremonial object after it had broken off the garamut. It may be that in earlier times the actual heads of headhunting victims were used to decorate slit-gongs. Smidt, 1990, cat. 104, illustrates a cult object which is a freestanding carving, not from a garamut, and may be derived from this piece. It is said to represent the ancestral founder of Imanmeri village, who was revered as a protective spirit of that village. Smidt also indicates a connection with cult objects that are similar in concept but have a human skull rather than the carved head. Such objects were seen at Meikerobi village (Karawari language speakers), located about 25 km northeast of Imanmeri (Dirk Smidt, personal communication)." (Catalog #264, New Guinea Art: Masterpieces from the Jolika Collection of Marcia and John Friede, 2005, Volume 2, p. 124.)

Related Keywords
object Cult Francisco San Museums Arts Fine Gift Promised Friede John Marcia Art Jolika people Alfondio village Imanmeri Oceania Province Sepik East Guinea New Sculpture pigment traces Wood 0709200406050364 A361132 L05.1.217 AOA