Female ancestral figure of wood with exposed pointed breasts and female genitalia. Figure stands with arms down at side, and feet that are part of a rounded base. There is twisted fibre cord through her septum, ear holes, around neck and around the waist with longer fringe. The eyes are inset cowrie(?) shells. The figure has a second face on the back of the head which is very to the front. There is a small white square painted on the base.

• Narrative

  Given to Jack Lieber by a district officer. Jack Lieber was in Papua New Guinea, Eastern Highlands Division, from August 1970 to June 1972. He was researching village communities in and around Goroka, where he was lecturing under the auspices of UNESCO at the Goroka Teachers College.

• Iconographic Meaning

  Said to tell the story of the Two Sisters.

---

• Type of Item figure
• Culture New Guinea
• Material wood, paint, cowrie shell, fibre
• Measurements height 56.0 cm, width 18.0 cm, depth 19.0 cm (overall)

---

• Previous Owner Jack Lieber, Iris Lieber
• Received from Iris Lieber

---

• Made in East Sepik

---

• Collection Date between 1970 and 1972
• Ownership Date before 2015, before December 8, 2017
• Acquisition Date on December 8, 2017

---

• Condition fair
• Accession Number 3277/0022