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Ancestor Figure (Konumb or Atei)

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Ancestor Figure (Konumb or Atei)

Date:
19th century
Geography:
Papua New Guinea, Lower Sepik River
Culture:
Kopar or Angoram people
Medium:
Wood, paint
Dimensions:
H. 73 x W. 8 x D. 3 1/2 in. (185.4 x 20.3 x 8.9 cm)
Classification:
Wood-Sculpture
Credit Line:
The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Gift of Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1969
Accession Number:
1978.412.727

This artwork is currently on display in Gallery 354

  • Description

    The Angoram and Kopar peoples who live along the lower
    reaches of the Sepik River in northeast New Guinea formerly
    created distinctive ancestor images (atei) with flat openwork
    bodies and fully modeled heads. Their bodies are frequently
    adorned, as here, with images of animals representing
    totemic species associated with the village clans and,
    occasionally, with smaller human figures whose significance
    is uncertain. Erected in lines standing shoulder-to-shoulder
    within the men’s ceremonial house, in the past, the powerful
    ancestor figures were reportedly consulted before hunting
    expeditions or raids on enemy villages.

  • Provenance

    Museum für Völkerkunde, Hamburg, until ca. 1952; [K.J. Hewett, London]; [John J. Klejman, New York, until 1958]; Nelson A. Rockefeller, New York, 1958, on loan to The Museum of Primitive Art, New York, 1958–1969; The Museum of Primitive Art, New York, 1969–1978

  • See also
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    In the Museum
    Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
    MetPublications
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