Shark Reliquary
19th century
A sacred activity for men in the eastern Solomon Islands, fishing revolves around the appearance of schools of skipjack bonito fish (a member of the tuna family). Young men launch canoes to follow a teeming confluence of species that are attracted to the large bonito. Fish hawks, terns, and frigate birds chase bait fish alongside the speedy bonito, which move in unpredictable ways that challenge fishermen. When the tumult passes, sharks swarm in to grab whatever they can. Men place the skulls of the deceased in a reliquary like this for eternal protection by this apex predator.
Wood and mother-of-pearl shell
33 x 74 x 23 in. (83.8 x 188 x 58.4cm)
Gift of Mark Groudine and Cynthia Putnam
2020.5.1
Provenance: Bruce Saunders, Brisbane, Australia; [Conru African and
Oceanic Art, Brussels, Belgium]; [Lewis/Wara Gallery, Seattle, Washington];
purchased from gallery by Mark Groudine, Seattle, Washington, 2011; to Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, Washington, 2020
