The Cleveland Museum of Art
Collection Online as of April 16, 2024
Hook Figure
c. 1920–1930
Overall: 207 x 6.4 cm (81 1/2 x 2 1/2 in.)
Gift of Edgar A. Hahn 1963.553
Location: not on view
Description
To the Arambak People, this abstract human figure represents the spirit of war and hunting. Stored in the men's ceremonial houses, such sculptures could not be viewed by women or children. Before hunting or headhunting expeditions, such figures were rubbed with special substances to induce possession by the spirit. The hook arching above the stylized face represents a feather. In the middle of the body is the heart, framed by crescent-shaped ribs. Below is the figure's calf.- The Art of the Sepik River. The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL (organizer) (October 16-November 28, 1971).Year in Review (1963). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (November 27, 1963-January 5, 1964).
- {{cite web|title=Hook Figure|url=false|author=|year=c. 1920–1930|access-date=16 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}
Source URL:
https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1963.553