Funerary Figure (Kulap)

Unknown

late 19th century · Chalk, paint · Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

In the southern part of New Ireland, a large island north of New Guinea, artists created chalk figures portraying both male and female subjects. Housed in small shrines constructed in the forest outside the village, the figures played a central role in a cult of the dead. Variable in their individual styles and attributes, it is possible that the figures were intended to portray specific individual ancestors whose supernatural powers could be harnessed to benefit their living descendants.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 19th century

Medium

Chalk, paint

Culture

Southern New Ireland

Department

Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

Credit line

Gift of Evelyn A. J. Hall, 1981