Eastern Highlands, PNG.

These figures are carved from the trunk of a tree fern and represent spirits and traditionally were mounted on stakes close to the men’s house. At times they were moved to outside the settlement’s perimeter where they formed part of the “sorcery trap”. They were sentinels with power to protect, and also trap bad magic sent by the enemy, especially at times of important rituals, such as male initiation. See “New Guinea Highlands; Art from the Jolika Collection” de Younfg Museum, SF, 2016. pp354

a) 84 x 17 x 21 cm b) 92 x 17 x 29 cm