Sculpture - Malagan
Production date
Unknown
Country
Papua New Guinea
State/Province
New Ire
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Object detail
Description
Eikuar type malagan painted black, red, yellow and white. This malagan sculpture with a bird sitting upon the top, consists of two male figures, each standing upon a head. The head is either a depiction of a pig's head or the "big mouth" fish, a widespread symbol of death.
Maker
Production date
Unknown
Production place
Measurements
L2070mm x W167mm
Media/Materials description
Wood
History and use
The eikuar vertical 'totem-pole' type sculpture consists of marumarua (three-dimensional external images of a person) standing on top of each other in the column, each seperated by koltibor blocks.
At the top of the eikuar is usually placed an image of a bird or a human head, and at base is usually found a depiction of a pig's head. The top image of an eikuar represents the individual character of the owning clan.
Malagan ceremonies are large, intricate traditional cultural events that take place in parts of New Ireland province in Papua New Guinea. The word malagan also refers to wooden carvings which are prepared for the ceremonies, and to an entire system of traditional culture.
At the top of the eikuar is usually placed an image of a bird or a human head, and at base is usually found a depiction of a pig's head. The top image of an eikuar represents the individual character of the owning clan.
Malagan ceremonies are large, intricate traditional cultural events that take place in parts of New Ireland province in Papua New Guinea. The word malagan also refers to wooden carvings which are prepared for the ceremonies, and to an entire system of traditional culture.
Registration number
E984
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