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Details / Information for Carved Bowl

Carved Bowl

late 1900s

Melanesia, New Guinea, Abelam people, late 20th century

Medium
earthenware with mineral pigments
Measurements
Diameter: 29 cm (11 7/16 in.); Overall: 12.6 cm (4 15/16 in.)
Credit Line
John L. Severance Fund 1999.10
Copyright
Copyright
This artwork is known to be under copyright.
Location
Not on view
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Description

The Abelam people inhabit a hilly region of northeast New Guinea, north of the Sepik River. Their most spectacular art form is a towering spirit house, the gable decorated with brightly painted panels depicting ancestral spirits. Similar faces are carved on these food bowls, and colored with white, orange and yellow pigment after firing. While utilitarian pottery is made by women, decoration with sacred designs must be carried out by men. Ornamented bowls like these are displayed and exchanged at feasts.
A conical earthenware bowl tapers sharply from a wide, flared rim to a narrow base. Deeply carved, interlocking curves of ochre yellow, muted red, and white decorate the dark brown exterior. Large, white-outlined heart motifs containing horizontal ovals suggest stylized facial features. Symmetrical scrolls and rhythmic lines repeat around the body, contrasting with the smooth, light brown interior clay.

Carved Bowl

late 1900s

Melanesia, New Guinea, Abelam people, late 20th century

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