GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Carved guardian figures are distinguished by the cavities in their chests, abdominal area, and other parts of the body into which puk-puk, a magically effective ingredient, was inserted. The filled cavities were closed with a covering made of wood or metal that was glued or nailed. At times, they were also sealed with a dollop of tree resin. In addition to the empty cavity, this figure has two that are plugged, one over the right ear and the other in the abdominal area.
A spoon is attached to the base area with ijuk cord. The spoon was used to offer food and beverage sacrifices in order to assure the lasting efficacy and power of the sculpture. Traces of abrasion to the mouth and chest resulted from ritual feeding, indicating that this figure enjoyed great attention and esteem over a long period of time.
Excerpt from
Roslyn A. Walker, Label text, 2013.
Artist/designers
Cultures
Geography
Process/materials
Historical periods
Individuals
Subject terms
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
n.d.: Steven G. Alpert, Dallas, Texas
1982: Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, purchased from above [1]
Notes:
The main source for this provenance is the copy of the Acquisitions Check List in the Collections Records object file (1982.31).
[1] The name of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, founded in 1933, was changed to the Dallas Museum of Art in 1983.
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ARCHIVAL RESOURCES
FUN FACTS
TEACHING IDEAS
RULES
apply to objects where number equals 1982.31
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General Description
Carved guardian figures are distinguished by the cavities in their chests, abdominal area, and other parts of the body into which puk-puk, a magically effective ingredient, was inserted. The filled cavities were closed with a covering made of wood or metal that was glued or nailed. At times, they were also sealed with a dollop of tree resin. In addition to the empty cavity, this figure has two that are plugged, one over the right ear and the other in the abdominal area.
A spoon is attached to the base area with ijuk cord. The spoon was used to offer food and beverage sacrifices in order to assure the lasting efficacy and power of the sculpture. Traces of abrasion to the mouth and chest resulted from ritual feeding, indicating that this figure enjoyed great attention and esteem over a long period of time.
Excerpt from
Roslyn A. Walker, Label text, 2013.
Fun Facts
Archival Resources
Web Resources
Notes
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Geography
Process/materials
Historical periods
Individuals
Subject terms
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
n.d.: Steven G. Alpert, Dallas, Texas
1982: Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, purchased from above [1]
Notes:
The main source for this provenance is the copy of the Acquisitions Check List in the Collections Records object file (1982.31).
[1] The name of the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, founded in 1933, was changed to the Dallas Museum of Art in 1983.
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
rules
Apply To
Objects
number
Equals
1982.31
source file
object_notes_2_d-0074.xml.nores