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Ancestor figure

Malekula Island, Vanuatu
Ancestor figure
 (c. 1986)

Medium
wood, earth pigments on clay and fibre, teeth

Measurements
120.3 × 17.9 × 15.2 cm

Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Gift of Todd Barlin, 2009

Reproduction requests

Gallery location
Not on display

Artwork Details

Place/s of Execution
Malekula Island, Vanuatu

Accession Number
2009.44

Departments
Oceanic Sculpture / Pacific Art

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

Physical description
The ancestor figure closely resembles the spirit bow from Malekula. The figurine at the centre of the stave is set with pigment and fibre to create an anthropomorphic face with prominent and protruding beak-like nose just above an open mouth with two sets of teeth. The stylised face is painted with black, white and red pigment.

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