Fernwood Figure
Artist:
Unknown
Place made:Malampa Province, Vanuatu
Culture: Ambrym Island
Date: late- 19th-early- 20th century
Medium: Fernwood
Dimensions:
h. 38 in. (96.5 cm)
Credit Line: San Antonio Museum of Art, gift of Gilbert M. Denman, Jr.
Object number: 77.1079
Label Text
In the central New Hebrides, carved figures and masks were closely related to deceased persons, secret societies, and the "Suque," a socio-religious organization, open to membership by men who could afford to buy their way into it. The Suque was constructed on a hierarchical pattern, each rank having its appropriate price. The prestige of the individual, and his status after death, depended upon the rank he held. Among the emblems associated with the Suque were the famous figures made of tree-fern trunks. On Ambrym and the Banks Islands, they were erected near the village Men's House or ancestor house, and were considered to be the abodes of the spirits.
On view
In Collection(s)
The San Antonio Museum of Art is in the process of digitizing its permanent collection. This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect SAMA's complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of such records is ongoing.
This resource has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the Human Endeavor.
