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Gain access to this incredible resource through either a monthly or a yearly subscription and search the entire collection from your desktop, compare multiple images side by side and zoom into the minute details of the images. Visit www.davidrumsey.com/amica for more information on the collection, click on the link below the revolving thumbnail to the right, or email us at amica@luna-img.com . Creator Nationality: Asian; Pacific; Melanesian; New Guinean; Papuan Creator Name-CRT: Papua New Guinea, Eastern Highlands Province, Mount Hagen region Title: Bird Figure View: Principal view Creation Date: date unknown Creation Place: Papua New Guinea, Eastern Highlands Province, Mount Hagen region Object Type: Decorative Arts and Utilitarian Objects Materials and Techniques: Stone Dimensions: H. 4 1/2 in. (11.4 cm) Description: Stone bird figures are enigmatic remnants of a vanished culture that once flourished in the highlands of New Guinea. This unknown culture produced a variety of stone objects, including figures of birds and other animals. As none have been excavated in controlled archaeological contexts, their date within the 40,000-year sequence of New Guinea prehistory remains unknown. This example was discovered in the Mount Hagen area. While nothing is known of their original use, prehistoric stone objects serve important functions among the Enga and other contemporary Highland peoples. Unearthed by chance in gardens, washed out by streams, or rooted up by foraging pigs, the unusual stones are regarded as the work of spirits. Endowed with powerful magic, their uses range from hunting magic to healing to deadly forms of sorcery. In recent times, stone objects were primarily associated with the fertility of pigs and sweet potatoes. Powerful stones were ritually anointed with pig's blood to magically replenish the herd and were buried in fields or placed in living shrines of colorful plants to assure abundant crops. On occasion, large groups of stones were massed for Kor nganap, a ceremonial cycle devoted to a female spirit who protected the community and brought success in warfare and traditional exchanges. AMICA Contributor: The Metropolitan Museum of Art Owner Location: New York, New York ID Number: 1996.373.2 Credit Line: Purchase, Discovery Communications Inc. Gift, 1996 Copyright: Copyright ? 2002 The Metropolitan Museum of Art . All rights reserved. Rights: http://www.metmuseum.org/education/er_photo_lib.asp AMICA ID: MMA_.1996.373.2 AMICA Library Year: 2002 Media Metadata Rights: Copyright (c) 2002 The Metropolitan Museum of Art. All Rights Reserved AMICA PUBLIC RIGHTS: a) Access to the materials is granted for personal and non-commercial use. b) A full educational license for non-commercial use is available from Cartography Associates at www.davidrumsey.com/amica/institution_subscribe.html c) Licensed users may continue their examination of additional materials provided by Cartography Associates, and d) commercial rights are available from the rights holder. Home
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