Carving a Culture: Symbols

Holmes Museum Updated Hours

The Museum is open Fall and Spring semesters, Monday-Friday from 1:00-5:00 or by appointment. During winter break and during the summer, the museum will be open by appointment only. Admission is free but donations are accepted. If you would like to visit or schedule a tour please call 316-978-7068 or email holmes.museum@wichita.edu holmes.museum@wichita.edu.

Symbols

Shield

Momogu village, Emari Ducur region

Made of mangrove wood and painted with red ochre. charcoal, lime, cassowary feathers, and plant fibers.

The Downing Collection of Asmat Art

2001.10.145 The Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology

Large carved shield with 鈥淏鈥� and 鈥淧鈥� shaped designs. The shield has a face carved into the top.

Shield

Keenog group, Unir Sirau region

Made of mangrove wood and painted with natural pigments.

Bakwin Collection of Asmat Art

2001.18.036 The Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology

Carved male figure with broken off ankles. He has the tail of a Cuscus, a marsupial, wrapped around his torso and legs. A bird head is resting on him with its beak at the man鈥檚 neck. Moon and 鈥渃鈥� shaped designs are also found on carvings.

Canoe Prow

Sawa village, Unir Sirau region

Carved wooden prow in the shape of a male figure with cuscus tails on his torso and legs and a bird head at his neck.

The Downing Collection of Asmat Art

2001.10.787 The Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology

Wood carving depicting two pelicans. Tassels made of plant material connect to the side.

Canoe Prow

Buepis village, Safan region

Prow carved of wood. depicting birds, and tassels made of plant material.

The Downing Collection of Asmat Art

2001.10.440 The Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology

Rectangular mat made of plant fiber with designs of animals including, a wild boar, birds, eels, ray, and fish.

Mat

Er Village, Unir Sirau

Mat woven from plant fibers. Decorated with natural pigments.

The Downing Collection of Asmat Art

2001.10.119 The Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology

Large wooden carved shield colored with red, black, and white pigment. The center is covered with a tree root design that resembles the number eight.

Shield

Omandecep, Decep-Jeu village, Becembub region

Made of mangrove wood, natural fibers, red ochre. charcoal, and lime pigments.

The Downing Collection of Asmat Art

2001.10.582 The Lowell D. Holmes Museum of Anthropology

成人头条