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Coaxing the Spirits to Dance: Art of the Papuan Gulf

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Enlarge Spirit Board (titi ebiha)
Papuan Gulf, Kerewa area
Wood, pigment; 57 1/2 x 10 x 4 in. (146.1 x 25.4 x 10.2 cm)
Tomkins Collection

The spirit figure on this board is highly animated, with its arms raised and legs bent in motion. The subtle position of the spirit's feet shows how the carvers of these boards have made them dance, just as the spirits themselves danced during the masked performances.

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