Headhunting Pole
59-9-2
Location: On Display in the Museum Library
From: New Guinea | Indonesia | Irian Jaya
Curatorial Section: Oceanian
| Native Name | Bisj |
| Object Number | 59-9-2 |
| Current Location | Museum Library - On Display |
| Culture | Asmat |
| Provenience | New Guinea | Indonesia | Irian Jaya |
| Section | Oceanian |
| Materials | Wood | Plant Fiber | Pigment |
| Description | Wood pole (bisj) with natural, unfinished surface; design details in red and a llittle black and white pigment. A large figure, carved in the round, is seated, with dangling legs, at the top of the pole. Projecting from the front of his body is a large flat openwork crescent element (a buttress root of the tree from which the pole is carved), at the base of which is carved a small seated figure. Remains of fiber arm and leg bands. Such poles are made for a festival celebrating the practice of headhunting. |
| Height | 364 cm |
| Width | 27 cm |
| Credit Line | Purchased from Julius Carlebach, 1959 |
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