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Male Ancestor Figure
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
Carved and painted chalk figures from New Ireland served as repositories for the spirits of deceased men and women during funeral rituals. After the ceremony, the figures were destroyed or discarded, allowing the spirits to join their ancestors.
Cleveland Museum of Art’s own descriptionCredit lineMale Ancestor Figure, before 1930. Melanesia, Central New Ireland, Namatani District, 20th century. Limestone; overall: 28 cm (11 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Munro, 1971.151
