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Sago dish terminating in torso, Jifai, 20th century
Wood, pigment
73.7 x 22.9 x 7.6 cm (29.5 x 9 x 3 in.)
The Marcia and John Friede Collection, a Promised Gift to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco L05.1.378

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Artist Biography: (none) PROVENANCE: Jolika Collection of New Guinea Art PUBLICATIONS: 2005 - "As with the previous object, the bold images may represent the flying fox, tar, a large fruit bat which is an ancestor and headhunters' symbol. Objects thus marked could only be handled by successful headhunters. According to Dirk Smidt, these designs are difficult to interpret; the wings of a bird, a nose shell ornament, or even a centipede have nearly identical symbols (Dirk Smidt, personal communication). The shape of the torso evokes the image of a praying mantis, another headhunting symbol." (Catalog #524, New Guinea Art: Masterpieces from the Jolika Collection of Marcia and John Friede, 2005, Volume 2, p. 176.)

Related Keywords
Jifai torso in terminating dish Sago Francisco San Museums Arts Fine Gift Promised Friede John Marcia Art Jolika people Asmat Oceania Papua West Guinea New object Ritual pigment Wood 0726200511300010 A365291 L05.1.378 AOA