id: 139792
accession number: 1963.553
share license status: Copyrighted
url: https://clevelandart.org/art/1963.553
updated: 2022-01-04 16:25:16.211000
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:
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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:
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CREATORS
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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:
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CURRENT EXHIBITIONS
title: Year in Review (1963)
opening date: 1963-11-26T05:00:00
Year in Review (1963). The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (November 26, 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).
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LEGACY EXHIBITIONS
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PROVENANCE
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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.
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RELATED WORKS
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