ticketsMember | Make a donation

Fishnet Float

late 19th–early 20th century
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 353
Fishing in the Solomon Islands requires physical effort and, often, supernatural intervention to assure an abundant catch. Some Solomon Islanders use large communal fishnets, which require many individuals to operate. Communal net fishing is a male activity, which was, and in some places remains, associated with rituals designed to ensure the good will of spirits, who have the power to provide or withhold the fish. This work is a fishnet float, one of a group of floats threaded onto the top of the net, which bobbed on the surface to keep it open. Most fishnet floats were plain, but some portray birds, fish, or supernatural beings. This float possibly portrays a powerful spirit.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Fishnet Float
  • Date: late 19th–early 20th century
  • Geography: Solomon Islands
  • Culture: Solomon Islands
  • Medium: Wood, paint
  • Dimensions: H. 8 3/8 x W. 2 x D. 2 1/8 in. (21.3 x 5.1 x 5.4 cm)
  • Classification: Wood-Sculpture
  • Credit Line: The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Bequest of Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1979
  • Object Number: 1979.206.1483
  • Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Canoe Figurehead (Nguzu Nguzu, Musu Musu, or Toto Isu), Wood, paint, shell, New Georgia Island people(?)
Canoe Figurehead (Nguzu Nguzu, Musu Musu, or Toto Isu)
New Georgia Island people(?)
late 19th–early 20th century
Shark Reliquary, Wood, shell, pigment, Solomon Islands
Shark Reliquary
Solomon Islands
ca. 1900
Ceremonial Staff (Wari Hau), Wood, chambered-nautilus shell, fiber, paint, Solomon Islands
Ceremonial Staff (Wari Hau)
Solomon Islands
19th–early 20th century
Shell Plaque (Barava), Tridacna shell, Choiseul Island
Shell Plaque (Barava)
Choiseul Island
late 19th–mid-20th century
Shell Plaque (Barava), Tridacna shell, Choiseul Island
Shell Plaque (Barava)
Choiseul Island
19th–early 20th century

Related Content

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.