Not Currently On View in Intersections

Object Name: Ancestor figure
Cultural Group: Korwar
Place of Origin: Cenderawasih Bay, West Papua (New Guinea), Indonesia
Date: 19th-early 20th century
Materials Used: Wood and glass beads
Dimensions: H: 26.3 cm, W: 11.5 cm, D: 15.3 cm (H: 10.4 in, W: 4.5 in, D: 6.0 in)
Credit line and Accession Number: Fowler Museum at UCLA. The Jerome L. Joss Collection. X85.1075

Ancestor figures, known as korwar, from Cenderawasih Bay functioned as oracles and were used by priests in rituals to transform the soul of someone who had died and allow it to live in the world of the ancestors. Discarded korwar were placed as guardians in graves.

Source: Gallery text, Intersections: World Arts, Local Lives, 2006