19th century

1 of 2

Object Label

Wood carvings from the Nicobar Islands are very rare, and only two other examples are known of this type, a heavy-bodied, crouching figure with a turtle carapace on the back. The figure\'s extraordinarily long arms, set in sockets, stretch forward. The face is anthropomorphic: the eyes are pointed ovals of shell; the mouth, with square-cut teeth, opens to reveal the tongue; and traces of the original bright red paint remain on the teeth, tongue, and lips. The figure wears a chin-strap helmet, pointed at the top in the Malayan manner. It suggests that the style derives from some part of the Malay Peninsula, where related dialects are spoken. The only recorded use of wood sculpture in this area was in forms of henta-koi, or "scare devils," intended to keep malevolent spirits at bay.

Caption

Figure (Kareau), 19th century. Wood, shell, pigment, 29 x 17 1/2 x 25 1/2 in. (73.7 x 44.5 x 64.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Ella C. Woodward Memorial Fund and Museum Collection Fund, 63.57. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 63.57_SL1.jpg)

Gallery

Not on view

Title

Figure (Kareau)

Date

19th century

Medium

Wood, shell, pigment

Classification

Sculpture

Dimensions

29 x 17 1/2 x 25 1/2 in. (73.7 x 44.5 x 64.8 cm)

Credit Line

Ella C. Woodward Memorial Fund and Museum Collection Fund

Accession Number

63.57

Rights

Creative Commons-BY

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