House-post Figure

Kambot people

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 354

The Kambot people live along the banks of the Keram River, a tributary of the lower Sepik River in New Guinea. This figure was not originally an independent sculpture but probably formed part of a housepost supporting the roof of a ceremonial house. The image represents either Mobul or Goyen, two mythical brothers who are associated with the creation of plants and animals. The brothers' spirits were believed to reside within the houseposts at certain times. This figure is probably the largest surviving example of Kambot wood sculpture. The head is a double image in which the eyes and nose of the central face also form the arms and flute of a second, smaller figure.

#1718. Ancestral Figure

0:00
0:00

    Playlist

  1. 1718. Ancestral Figure
  2. 1183. Kids: House-post Figure, Part 1
  3. 1184. Kids: House-post Figure, Part 2
View Transcript
House-post Figure, Wood, paint, fiber, Kambot people

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Open Access

As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.

API

Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.

House-post Figure, Wood, paint, fiber, Kambot people
House-post Figure, Wood, paint, fiber, Kambot people
House-post Figure, Wood, paint, fiber, Kambot people
House-post Figure, Wood, paint, fiber, Kambot people
House-post Figure, Wood, paint, fiber, Kambot people
House-post Figure, Wood, paint, fiber, Kambot people
House-post Figure, Wood, paint, fiber, Kambot people
House-post Figure, Wood, paint, fiber, Kambot people
House-post Figure, Wood, paint, fiber, Kambot people
House-post Figure, Wood, paint, fiber, Kambot people
House-post Figure, Wood, paint, fiber, Kambot people
House-post Figure, Wood, paint, fiber, Kambot people

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.