We acknowledge the Gadigal of the Eora Nation, the traditional custodians of the Country on which the Art Gallery of NSW stands.

Title

Bowl

late 19th century-early 20th century

Artist

Iatmul people

Papua New Guinea

No image
  • Details

    Place where the work was made
    Middle Sepik River East Sepik Province Papua New Guinea
    Cultural origin
    Iatmul people
    Date
    late 19th century-early 20th century
    Media category
    Ceramic
    Materials used
    earthenware
    Dimensions
    11.0 x 37.0 x 27.0 cm
    Signature & date

    Not signed. Not dated.

    Credit
    Gift of Todd Barlin 2020. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program
    Location
    Not on display
    Accession number
    187.2020
    Artist information
    Iatmul people

    Works in the collection

    44

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  • About

    This unusual earthenware bowl has a chip-carved design that features a scroll design common in the Iatmul-speaking region of the Middle Sepik and in adjacent areas, including Sawos territory north of the river. The design usually represents a vine.

    The Australian geologist Peter Austin travelled through the Sepik region in 1965-66 and assembled a comprehensive collection of material culture which is now held at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. More than 400 items formed the basis of the major exhibition 'New Guinea: Big Man Island', held at the Museum in 1970. This bowl was collected by Austin during his sojourn in Papua New Guinea.

Other works by Iatmul people

See all 44 works