Belt Ornament

late 19th–early 20th century

Not on view

The intricate woodcarvings of the Biwat people of the Yuat River served largely as personal ornaments worn in the hair or attached to the belts or armbands of dancers. In addition to the decoration of the human body, Biwat artists created a variety of ornaments to adorn sacred flutes such as small flute stoppers, which originally served to seal the upper end of a hollow bamboo flute.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

Title: Belt Ornament
Date: late 19th–early 20th century
Geography: Papua New Guinea, Yuat River region
Culture: Biwat people
Medium: Wood, hair, shell, fiber
Dimensions: H. 9 5/8 x W. 1 1/2 x D. 2 3/4 in. (24.4 x 3.8 x 7 cm)
Classification: Wood-Ornaments
Credit Line: The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Bequest of Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1979
Object Number: 1979.206.1557
Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing

More Artwork

In the same medium

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Hair Ornament (Manyan), Wood, paint, shell, fiber, Biwat people — Hair Ornament (Manyan)
Biwat people
late 19th–early 20th century

Flute Stopper, Wood, paint, shell, Biwat people — Flute Stopper
Biwat people
late 19th–early 20th century

Head (Ganabi), Wood, paint, shell, resin, Gogodala people — Head (Ganabi)
Gogodala people
early 20th century

Bark Belt, Bark, paint, lime, cowrie shell, fiber, Elema people — Bark Belt
Elema people
late 19th–early 20th century

House Post, Wood, fiber, shell, paint, feathers, plastic, metal, Lower Ramu River region — House Post
Lower Ramu River region
early to mid-20th century

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.