Korwar Figure-W.E.C. Veen Collection-New Guinea Art-Oceanic Art
Korwar
Schouten Islands, Doreh Bay, west Teluk Cenderawasih, Northwest New Guinea
Collected circa 1916 by W. E. C. Veen
Late 19th century
9 ¼” (23.5 cm) in height
On the underside of the Korwar is a partial paper label with “Korwar. Schouten eiland. NGuinea” and then written in pencil “Schouten eil.”
Dr. Wonu Veys, in her accompanying essay, writes this about this Korwar:
“The openwork “shield” of one of the figures has been interpreted as a real shield symbolizing bravery and offering supernatural protection or as a stylized rendering of snakes, coral, or octopus arms. It could also indicate that the korwar is male.”