Finial for a Ceremonial House
The art of the Sawos, Iatmul, and neighboring peoples in the Middle Sepik region of northeastern New Guinea is primarily associated with their impressive men’s ceremonial houses, which are seen as the embodiments of primordial female ancestors. The triangular gables at either end of Sawos and Iatmul men’s houses rise into steep peaks crowned by separately carved wood finials that depict human figures with birds, usually eagles, perched above them. Local interpretations of this imagery vary. In some instances, the human images are said to represent enemies
subdued by the power of the village’s totemic beings. In this interpretation, the bird symbolizes the village’s martial strength, which in former times assured victory in war. According to other accounts, the finial images represent the dual nature of the primordial bird-men and bird-women, who originally created the sacred musical instruments, consisting of bamboo flutes and slit gongs that were kept within the ceremonial houses and played a central role in ritual life.
subdued by the power of the village’s totemic beings. In this interpretation, the bird symbolizes the village’s martial strength, which in former times assured victory in war. According to other accounts, the finial images represent the dual nature of the primordial bird-men and bird-women, who originally created the sacred musical instruments, consisting of bamboo flutes and slit gongs that were kept within the ceremonial houses and played a central role in ritual life.
Artwork Details
- Title: Finial for a Ceremonial House
- Date: late 19th–early 20th century
- Geography: Papua New Guinea, Kaimbiam village, Middle Sepik River region
- Culture: Sawos people
- Medium: Wood, cowrie shells, paint
- Dimensions: H. 49 3/4 in. × W. 45 in. × D. 24 in. (126.4 × 114.3 × 61 cm)
- Classification: Wood-Sculpture
- Credit Line: The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Bequest of Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1979
- Object Number: 1979.206.1560
- Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Sawos people
19th century
Abelam people
19th–early 20th century
Sawos people
19th century or earlier
Iatmul people
19th–early 20th century
Yessan-Mayo people
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.