Papua New Guinea Southern Highlands Pangia Area Wiru Peoples Abstract Anthropomorphic Basketweave Figure 'Timbuwarra'

A Large Papua New Guinea Southern Highlands Pangia Area Wiru Peoples Abstract Anthropomorphic Basketweave Figure 'Timbuwarra'
Vegetal fibres and pigments
Mid 20th Century
Size: 165cm high, 88cm wide – 65 ins high, 34½ ins wide
These anthropomorphic representational figures are ancestor spirits and are carefully woven from gathered, prepared, and soaked fibres and are made as memorials to the dead. They are only found in a small area around Pangia in the Southern Highlands of New Guinea amongst the Wiru. 'Timbu' means sky in Wiru language and it is believed that these figures were made for the opening of a Spirit House called 'Timbuyabu', which was a round building with a very high conical roof. They would be carried around in ceremony and then stored inside the Spirit House by hanging them on the walls where they would act as guardians.

Papua New Guinea Southern Highlands Pangia Area Wiru Peoples Abstract Anthropomorphic Basketweave Figure 'Timbuwarra'

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ENQUIRIES

+44 (0)7768 236921
+44 (0)7836 684133

enquiries@finch-and-co.co.uk