Carved female figure. Doll (part a) stands on large feet, legs spread, arms slightly akimbo, large breasts carved at chest. Head is covered in a woven fabric to represent a hat or hair, above protruding ears, shell eyes, and a large open mouth with inset shell teeth. A thick necklace of small white and brown shells is wound several times around the neck. A skirt of grass or bark is attached around the figure’s waist. Painted white. Part b is a ring of short grass, light yellow-brown, woven into a bracelet.

• History Of Use

  Created as an effigy of a deceased family member, payback dolls were used as a reminder that payback, or revenge for their death, was still outstanding. A female with white paint is said to represent a widow, whereas a bride would be painted black.

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• Type of Item doll
• Culture Mendi
• Material wood, plant fibre, shell, paint
• Measurements height 42.0 cm, width 19.0 cm, depth 10.0 cm (part a) height 2.5 cm, width 10.0 cm, depth 6.0 cm (part b)

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• Previous Owner Christine Millar
• Received from Christine Millar

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• Made in Southern Highlands

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• Creation Date during 1980
• Collection Date during 1980
• Ownership Date before October 17, 2017
• Acquisition Date on October 17, 2017

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• Condition fair
• Accession Number 3270/0001 a-b