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Mbis pole

Bruno Jurr
Mbis pole
 (c. 1980)

Medium
earth pigments on wood

Measurements
183.0 × 26.5 × 97.0 cm

Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Gift of Todd Barlin through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program, 2006
© the artist

Reproduction requests

Gallery location
Not on display

Artwork Details

Place/s of Execution
Sawa village, northwest Asmat, West Papua

Accession Number
2006.214

Department
Pacific Art

This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Vizard Foundation

Physical description
This Mbis ancestral pole was carved from carefully selected well-grown tree by master carver, Bruno Jurr in Sawa village, northwest Asmat in West Papua. Such poles pay respect to the deceased relative and ancestor who is represented by the main carved object and have sacred value to ask for protection from the enemies. The white paint used is made from crushed oyster shells, the red paint from red clay while the black is made from pitch.

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