id: 139792 accession number: 1963.553 share license status: Copyrighted url: https://clevelandart.org/art/1963.553 updated: 2023-03-16 15:19:02.777000 Hook Figure, c. 1920–1930. Melanesia, Papua New Guinea, central Sepik River region, Arambak People, 20th century. Painted wood and cowrie shell; overall: 207 x 6.4 cm (81 1/2 x 2 1/2 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Edgar A. Hahn 1963.553 title: Hook Figure title in original language: series: series in original language: creation date: c. 1920–1930 creation date earliest: 1920 creation date latest: 1930 current location: creditline: Gift of Edgar A. Hahn copyright: --- culture: Melanesia, Papua New Guinea, central Sepik River region, Arambak People, 20th century technique: painted wood and cowrie shell department: Oceania collection: Oceanic Art type: Sculpture find spot: catalogue raisonne: --- CREATORS --- measurements: Overall: 207 x 6.4 cm (81 1/2 x 2 1/2 in.) state of the work: edition of the work: support materials: inscriptions: --- CURRENT EXHIBITIONS title: Year in Review (1963) opening date: 1963-11-27T05:00:00 Year in Review (1963). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (November 27, 1963-January 5, 1964). title: The Art of the Sepik River opening date: 1971-10-16T04:00:00 The Art of the Sepik River. The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL (organizer) (October 16-November 28, 1971). --- LEGACY EXHIBITIONS --- PROVENANCE --- fun fact: digital description: wall 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. --- RELATED WORKS --- CITATIONS --- IMAGES