Search Results

Image 1 of 1

Male suspension figure or miniature house post, 19th century
Wood, pigment
44.5 x 10.2 x 7.6 cm (17 1/2 x 4 x 3 in.)
The Marcia and John Friede Collection, a Promised Gift to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco L05.1.225

Zoom this image

Artist Biography: (none) PROVENANCE: "Collected by Lajos Biró in 1898-99. Néprajzi Múseum, Budapest (64729)." (Catalog #375, New Guinea Art: Masterpieces from the Jolika Collection of Marcia and John Friede, 2005, Volume 2, p. 146.) PUBLICATIONS: 2005 - "The figure represents a mythological ancestor being bitten on the penis by the mythical selam snake, a creature that seduces and kills youth. Accordint to Biró, such sculptures "are intended to present the myth of the selam snake." On the back, there is a yabo (boar tusk) motif. The small projecting part at the top of the head facilitates the attachment of a feather headdress (see Bodrogi, 1961a: 68, fig. 24). Alternatively, it may be the remainder of a device whereby the figure was hung in the ceremonial house, or, as is often the case, it may have been hung upside down." (Catalog #375, New Guinea Art: Masterpieces from the Jolika Collection of Marcia and John Friede, 2005, Volume 2, p. 146.) 1970 - Wingert, 1970, no. 198. 1963 - Guiart, 1963, no. 262. 1961 - Bodrogi, 1961, fig. 43; Bodrogi, 1961a, figs. 22a and 22b.

Related Keywords
post house miniature or figure suspension Male Francisco San Museums Arts Fine Gift Promised 146 p 2 Volume 2005 Friede John Marcia Jolika Masterpieces Art 375 Catalog 64729 Budapest Mœseum N*prajzi 99 1898 Bir— Lajos by Collected people Tami Oceania Province Morobe Guinea New Papua Melanesia Sculpture pigment Wood 0726200511300006 A361140 L05.1.225 AOA