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Artist:
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Unknown
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Title:
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Malagan Figure
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Date:
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c. 1890
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Medium:
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Wood, pigment, shell
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Dimensions:
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78 x 13 1/2 x 12 in. (198.12 x 34.29 x 30.48 cm)
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Credit Line:
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Gift of funds from Myron Kunin
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Location:
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Gallery 256
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This large figure holds an instrument called katoviso, which comprises a group of bamboo pipes that are played by blowing across the top. The piper's rain hat, made of a pandan leaf, is typical for women. The stylized snake carvings that compose the skirt represent the woman's connection to the spiritual world. Serpents appear frequently in the art of New Ireland because of their supernatural powers. This figure likely portrays a clan ancestor for whom a malagan ceremony was held.
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Artist/Creator(s)
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Name:
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Unknown
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Object Description
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Classification:
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Sculpture
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Physical Description:
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standing figure with panpipes encircled by serpents and birds; wood with opercula inserts and pigments; carved for Malanggan rites
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Creation Place:
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Oceania, Papua New Guinea, New Ireland
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Accession #:
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85.93
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Owner:
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The Minneapolis Institute of Arts
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