ANCESTOR FIGURE

Murik Lakes, mouth of Sepik River

Papua New Guinea.

This is a protective figure, representing an ancestor. He appears to be wearing a mask, and also wears an elaborate headdress. This designates him as an important ancestor. He is painted in reddish ochres, with lime (crushed shells) rubbed into the fine engraved designs to make them stand out.

Size: 28.5 cm (length)  6.5 cm (width)  8 cm (depth)

Weight: 206 grams