Papua New Guinea

Iatmul people, Papua New Guinea, 20th century

Fiber

Gift of the Dr. Alan & Linda Rich Collection

Huli people, Papua New Guinea, 20th century

Shell, string

Gift of the Dr. Alan & Linda Rich Collection

Huli people, Papua New Guinea, 20th century

Shell, string

Gift of the Dr. Alan & Linda Rich Collection

Huli people, Papua New Guinea, 20th century

Wood

Gift of the Dr. Alan & Linda Rich Collection

Huli people, Papua New Guinea, 20th century

Bamboo

Gift of the Dr. Alan & Linda Rich Collection

These hand-woven, netted string bags are used to carry a wide range of items such as food, supplies, and personal belongings. They are common throughout Papua New Guinea.

Iatmul people, Papua New Guinea

Fiber, string

c. 20th century

These hand-woven, netted string bags are used to carry a wide range of items such as food, supplies, and personal belongings. They are common throughout Papua New Guinea.

Iatmul people, Papua New Guinea, c. 20th century

Fiber, string

These hand-woven, netted string bags are used to carry a wide range of items such as food, supplies, and personal belongings. They are common throughout Papua New Guinea.

Iatmul people, Papua New Guinea

Fiber, string

c.20th century

These hand-woven, netted string bags are used to carry a wide range of items such as food, supplies, and personal belongings. They are common throughout Papua New Guinea.

Iatmul people, Papua New Guinea

Fiber, string

c.20th century

The Iatmul people espouse a firm connection with a religion that dominates all aspects of their daily and ritualistic lives, often referred to as “the life force.” Cult statues such as these represent ancestors and their life force spirits.

Iatmul people (Papua New Guinea), 20th century

Wood

Gift of the Dr. Alan & Linda Rich Collection

The Iatmul people espouse a firm connection with a religion that dominates all aspects of their daily and ritualistic lives, often referred to as “the life force.” Cult statues such as these represent ancestors and their life force spirits.

Iatmul people (Papua New Guinea), 20th century

Wood

Gift of the Dr. Alan & Linda Rich Collection

The Iatmul people espouse a firm connection with a religion that dominates all aspects of their daily and ritualistic lives, often referred to as “the life force.” Cult statues such as these represent ancestors and their life force spirits.

Iatmul people, Papua New Guinea, 20th century

Wood

Gift of the Dr. Alan & Linda Rich Collection

Huli people, Papua New Guinea, 20th Century, shell, string, fiber

Gift of the Dr. Alan & Linda Rich Collection

Kina shells are valuable to the Sepik River peoples, so much so that they are even used as currency. Each of these pectoral necklaces is decorated with small holes along its inner ring to accentuate the shape of its decorative shells

Huli people, Papua New Guinea, 20th century, shell

Gift of the Dr. Alan & Linda Rich Collection

Cowrie shells serve both functional and artistic functions in Papua New Guinean culture. While the shells are used commonly as currency, they are also employed frequently as creative details for works of art. Indeed, given their shape and appearance, cowrie shells often represent eyes in masks and other sculptures.

Huli people, Papua New Guinea, 20th Century, shell, string

Gift of the Dr. Alan & Linda Rich Collection

Cowrie shells serve both functional and artistic functions in Papua New Guinean culture. While the shells are used commonly as currency, they are also employed frequently as creative details for works of art. Indeed, given their shape and appearance, cowrie shells often represent eyes in masks and other sculptures.

Huli people, Papua New Guinea, 20th Century, shell, string

Gift of the Dr. Alan & Linda Rich Collection

Cowrie shells serve both functional and artistic functions in Papua New Guinean culture. While the shells are used commonly as currency, they are also employed frequently as creative details for works of art. Indeed, given their shape and appearance, cowrie shells often represent eyes in masks and other sculptures.

Huli People, Papua New Guinea, 20th Century, Shell, String

Gift of the Dr. Alan & Linda Rich Collection

Iatmul people, Papua New Guinea, 20th century

Shell, feather, resin

Gift of the Dr. Alan & Linda Rich Collection

Iatmul people, Papua New Guinea, 20th century

Wood

Gift of the Dr. Alan & Linda Rich Collection

Huli people, Papua New Guinea, 20th century

Bone, string

Gift of the Dr. Alan & Linda Rich Collection

Iatmul people, Papua New Guinea (Oceania), 20th Century

Wood

Gift of the Dr. Alan & Linda Rich Collection

This mask, also known as a Helmet or Dream mask, is worn atop the head and has no eyeholes. With its prominent elongated and arched nose, the mask’s features are characteristic of Sepik river masks. Often worn ceremonially, masks like these represent and seek to honor specific mythical ancestors and supernatural siblings. This mask was a gift to the Riches from a grateful Iatmul chief.

Iatmul people, Papua New Guinea, c. 20th Century

Rattan, wood, fiber

Gift of the Dr. Alan & Linda Rich Collection

Unknown Artist, Papua New Guinea, 20th century

Beads

Gift of the Dr. Alan & Linda Rich Collection

Unknown Artist, Papua New Guinea, 20th century

Black coral and metal

Gift of the Dr. Alan & Linda Rich Collection

Unknown Artist, Papua New Guinea, 20th century

Tortoise shell

Gift of the Dr. Alan & Linda Rich Collection

Unknown Artist, Papua New Guinea, 20th century

Tortoise shell

Gift of the Dr. Alan & Linda Rich Collection

Huli Wigmen, Papua New Guinea, 20th century

Wood

Gift of the Dr. Alan & Linda Rich Collection

Iatmul people, Papua New Guinea, 20th century

Fiber and string

Gift of the Dr. Alan & Linda Rich Collection

Iatmul people, Papua New Guinea, 20th century

Fiber

Gift of the Dr. Alan & Linda Rich Collection

The Iatmul people espouse a firm connection with a religion that dominates all aspects of their daily and ritualistic lives, often referred to as “the life force.” Cult statues such as these represent ancestors and their life force spirits.

Iatmul People, Papua New Guinea, 20th Century, Wood

Gift of the Dr. Alan & Linda Rich Collection