Ancestor Figure Item Number: 3277/22 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Female ancestral figure of wood with exposed pointed breasts and female genitalia. Figure stands with arms down at side, and feet that are part of a rounded base. There is twisted fibre cord through her septum, ear holes, around neck and around the waist with longer fringe. The eyes are inset cowrie(?) shells. The figure has a second face on the back of the head which is very to the front. There is a small white square painted on the base.
Narrative
Given to Jack Lieber by a district officer. Jack Lieber was in Papua New Guinea, Eastern Highlands Division, from August 1970 to June 1972. He was researching village communities in and around Goroka, where he was lecturing under the auspices of UNESCO at the Goroka Teachers College.
Iconographic Meaning
Said to tell the story of the Two Sisters.
Item History
- Made in East Sepik, Papua New Guinea
- Collected between 1970 and 1972
- Owned by Jack Lieber before 2015
- Owned by Iris Lieber before December 8, 2017
- Received from Iris Lieber (Donor) on December 8, 2017
What
- Name
- Ancestor Figure
- Identification Number
- 3277/22
- Type of Item
- figure
- Material
- wood, paint, cowrie shell ? and fibre
- Overall
- height 56.0 cm, width 18.0 cm, depth 19.0 cm
Who
- Culture
- New Guinea
- Previous Owner
- Jack Lieber and Iris Lieber
- Received from
- Iris Lieber (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- East Sepik, Papua New Guinea
When
- Collection Date
- between 1970 and 1972
- Ownership Date
- before 2015 and before December 8, 2017
- Acquisition Date
- on December 8, 2017
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 3277/0022