Ancestor Figure (Korwar) Yale University Art Gallery

19th century

In western New Guinea, artists developed the so-called korwar style of carving, which is characterized by distinctive facial features, including deep-set eyes and an arrow-shaped nose. Korwar figures represent ancestor spirits that are highly venerated but also treated with awe and caution. While korwar are religious objects, similar facial features are also found on objects that have a daily function, such as boat prows, tool handles, and household bowls.

Medium: Wood with glass beads
Dimensions: 14 3/8 × 6 5/16 × 5 7/8 in. (36.5 × 16 × 15 cm)
Credit Line: Promised gift of Thomas Jaffe, B.A. 1971
Loan number: ILE2016.13.6
Geography: Cenderawasih Bay, West Papua, Indonesia
Culture: Cenderawasih Bay
Classification: Sculpture
Disclaimer: Note: This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect the Yale University Art Gallery’s complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of records is ongoing.

Object copyright

No Copyright - United States

Additional information

Object/Work type

effigies, figures (representations)

Subject

ancestor worship, ancestors

Technical metadata and APIs

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