ANCESTRAL FIGURE MALANGGAN ULI

Polichromed wood, eyes inlaid with shells.
Papua New Guinea, New Ireland; 19th - early 20th cent.
The name malanggan means expanded funeral rites, often performed jointly with boys' initiation, the ceremony being accompanied by carving of sculptures of complicated forms and rich with symbolism. After completion of the rites these carvings, which had already outplayed their ritual role, ought to be destroyed. However, nowadays, they are being often sold to collectors.

MAP 11785, acquired in 1988.