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SAM'S collection
Male figure
Male figure

Male figure

Dateca. 1890
Maker New Guinea
Maker Sepik River
Label TextOriginally kept in a men’s ceremonial house, this figure was seen only in dim light, amidst other characters who resided there. Some were ancestors, others could be water and wood spirits, and all were intended to intrigue young men as they were being introduced to spiritual knowledge during initiation. Ceremonies throughout their life would enable them to consult the figures to assist with hunting and fishing expeditions, crop fertility, illness, and well being. Human features are merged with the beak of a sea bird, relying on the mixture of species for a more complex identity.
Object number95.143
Credit LineGift of Dr. Oliver E. and Pamela F. Cobb
Dimensions13 in. (33.02 cm)
MediumWood
Photo: Elizabeth Mann
Male Figure
Papua New Guinea
first quarter 20th century
Object number: 2012.1.2
Image Not Available for Food Hook
Food Hook
New Guinea
early 20th century
Object number: 78.63
Shallow bowl
Shallow bowl
New Guinea
Object number: 60.21
Lime Spatula: half-man, half-bird
Lime Spatula: half-man, half-bird
New Guinea
Object number: 61.90
Mask
Mask
New Guinea
Object number: 77.57
Photo: Elizabeth Mann
Pectoral
Madang, Papua New Guinea
Late 19th - early 20th century
Object number: 2018.18.2
Image Not Available for Necklace
Necklace
New Guinea
Object number: 81.17.1662
Image Not Available for Figural mask
Figural mask
New Guinea
ca. 1890
Object number: 92.130
Image Not Available for Figural mask
Figural mask
New Guinea
ca. 1890
Object number: 92.131
Long mat
Long mat
New Guinea
Object number: 77.58
Female figure
Female figure
Guinea/Liberia
Object number: 81.17.182
Image Not Available for Nimba Headdress Figure
Nimba Headdress Figure
Guinea
20th century
Object number: SC2009.1.6