wood, brown patina, small remains of red, white and black pigment, characteristic ornamental decor at the bottom, slightly dam., missing parts (tip), rims dam., fine cracks, abrasion of paint;
soul boats always have the form of dugout canoes, carrying a great number of figures, partly mythical, partly human, at which some of them represent those who have died recently. The soul boat should guide the spirits of the dead to the realm of the ancestors "safan". Preparation and carving of the boats take a long time. The selection of the trunk in the forest, the felling of the sago palms, as well as certain work steps (carving, painting, decoration with seeds, feathers and leafs) are accompanied by dancing, singing and the sound of drums. For the act of carving special houses called "emak cem" are erected. The making of soul boats is closely connected with initiation ceremonies for young boys.
L: 93 cm, L: 36,6 inch
Provenance:
collected in the field by Countess Ingeborg de Beausacq, before 1959;
Ingeborg de Beausacq (1910-2003) was an American photographer and explorer of german origin; She led an adventurous life, lived in Paris, Brazil, New York, she visited Thailand, India, Pakistan, Lebanon, Greece and Nepal. She spent three years in Papua New Guinea (1957-59) where she lived with the natives, sharing their life, photographed their initiation rites, wrote their history and bought art objects.
Julius Carlebach, New York, USA
Lit.: Konrad, Gunter & Ursula, u.a., Asmat, Glashütten 1981, p. 78 f.
Helfrich, Klaus u.a., Asmat, Berlin 1996, p. 218 ff.
Continent: Oceania

See description