Carved Bowl

Carved Bowl

late 1900s

Earthenware with mineral pigments

Diameter: 28.4 cm (11 3/16 in.); Overall: 11 cm (4 5/16 in.)

John L. Severance Fund 1999.11

Location

Description

The Abelam people inhabit a hilly region of northeast New Guinea, north of the Sepik River. Their most spectacular art form is a towering spirit house, the gable decorated with brightly painted panels depicting ancestral spirits. Similar faces are carved on these food bowls, and colored with white, orange and yellow pigment after firing. While utilitarian pottery is made by women, decoration with sacred designs must be carried out by men. Ornamented bowls like these are displayed and exchanged at feasts.

See also
Collection: 
Oceanic Art
Department: 
Oceania
Type of artwork: 
Vessels

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