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1884.62.21

Wooden block or pulley for ships tackle made from wood, brown in colour. In the form of a human figure with human face and arms folded resting on knees and under chin. The figure is depicted sat on top of a piece of wood that is curved into the shape of a wave. The figure has been painted with red, black and white pigment. [FC 03/06/2010]

1884.62.21

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Collection type
Object
Description
Wooden block or pulley for ships tackle made from wood, brown in colour. In the form of a human figure with human face and arms folded resting on knees and under chin. The figure is depicted sat on top of a piece of wood that is curved into the shape of a wave. The figure has been painted with red, black and white pigment. [FC 03/06/2010]
Long description
Wooden block or pulley for ships tackle made from wood, brown in colour. In the form of a human figure with human face and arms folded resting on knees under the chin. The figure is depicted sat on top of a piece of wood that is curved into the shape of a wave. The figure has been painted with red, black and white pigment. The figure has two cowrie shells, one tied around the figures leg and one tied around the figures arm with plant fibre. The ornament has been mounted for display onto a block of wood painted black with a printed label inscribed "Wooden Block or pulley for ship's tackle, ornamented with a realistic human figure. NEW GUINEA". [FC 03/06/2010]
Date / Period
Date made: Possibly before 1881
Date collected
?Prior to 1881
Acquisition information
Donated: 1884
Materials and processes
Material Wood Plant, Material Pigment, Material Animal Hair, Process Carved, Process Painted
Dimensions
Length: max 350 mm including base, Height: max 330 mm including base, Width: max 128 mm including base
Object numbers
Accession number: 1884.62.21 PR no.: 1/ 13082
Research and responses

Note that the second and third green book entries suggests that Pitt Rivers withdrew this item from South Kensington Museum at some point between 1881 and 1884 and then returned it in July 1884 [AP Leverhulme project on founding collection 1995-1998]

Search terms: Tool, Figure, Religion, Navigation, Amulet, Canoe Part

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