Description

Finial derivation. Tall, standing carving of a group of figures. On the round wooden base a small masked woman stands with legs slightly crouched, hands by her sides, twisted rope decorating her waist, ankles, wrists and ears. A large decorated shield stands behind her, facing the opposite direction. It holds a large face, circular motifs along both edges, and twists of rope. A second masked woman balances on the shield, similar in appearance and decoration to the woman below, but taller. Standing on her shoulders is a large tan bird with a huge curved beak, its tail resting on the shield. It too is decorated with twisted rope. The eyes of the bird, women and face on the shield are made of shell. One of the twisted fibre cords is made of red and green strands.