Search Results

Image 1 of 1

Pig, C-14 dating: 1520–1810 (95% probability)
Wood, encrustations
20.3 x 40.6 x 12.7 cm (8 x 16 x 5 in.)
The Marcia and John Friede Collection, a Promised Gift to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco L05.1.435

Zoom this image

Artist Biography: (none) PROVENANCE: Jolika Collection of New Guinea Art PUBLICATIONS: 2005 - "Pig sculptures have been made on Kiriwina Island to sell to Western visitors as early as 1880. The use of pre-contact pig figures is uncertain; its function as an item of value, used, for example, in exchange for a real pig, is assumed by some. However, Geoffrey Mosuwadoga, a Trobriand Islander who was the first non-European director of the Papua New Guinea National Museum, Port Moresby, asserted that they served "as headrests, or as a base of pounding taro" (Beran, 1980: 15). This one has what appears to be a thick village patina, which may suggest it was made for local use, and the C-14 dating reinforces this concept." (Catalog #408, New Guinea Art: Masterpieces from the Jolika Collection of Marcia and John Friede, 2005, Volume 2, p. 152.)

Related Keywords
Pig Francisco San Museums Arts Fine Gift Promised Friede John Marcia Art Jolika speakers language Kilivila village Bwetalu Boitalu Massim Northern Oceania Province Bay Milne Guinea New Sculpture encrustations Wood 0709200406050088 A365844 L05.1.435 AOA