Suspension Hook Item Number: Ie398 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Carved wooden basket hook consisting of a female figure with a long oval shaped face and a conical shape headdress that has a bird carved on the tip. The face has incised, tattoo-like detailing on the cheeks, a long nose, inlayed shell eyes and an open mouth exposing the teeth. The arms hang down to the knees which are slightly bent. The body is rounded; the genital area is exposed. The crescent shaped base has a stylized incised band designs that are incorporated into a central face that has inlaid shell eyes. Along the sides of the body is a rounded, triangular repeating design. The reverse is carved and decorated with various stylized designs. The wood is stained black.
History Of Use
Many hooks have spiritual content as images of food spirits and by extension of fertility. Hooks with the images of females are never used in men's ceremonial houses
Item History
- Made in Papua New Guinea ?
- Owned by William H. Birmingham before March 21, 1980
- Received from William H. Birmingham (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Donations Fund (Funding source) on March 21, 1980
What
Who
- Culture
- New Guinea
- Previous Owner
- William H. Birmingham
- Received from
- William H. Birmingham (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Donations Fund (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Papua New Guinea ?
When
- Ownership Date
- before March 21, 1980
- Acquisition Date
- on March 21, 1980
Other
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 69
- Accession Number
- 0620/0015