Malangan, Papua New Guinea

This 'malangan' carving is a painted wooden ornament with a central face and matching fish designs at the ends with green operculum shell eyes.

Such objects are called 'malangan', which designates a group of ritual objects particular to the New Ireland province of Papua New Guinea that are used in complex mortuary rites and initiation ceremonies. The knowledge of how to make malangan carvings and the associated rituals is passed down within families. 

Accession number: 1899.62.401.1