Figure (Kareau)
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
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Title
Figure (Kareau)
Date
19th century
Geography
Place made: Nicobar Islands, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
Medium
Wood, shell, pigment
Classification
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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