Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art

About this Work

For many who live on and around the island of New Guinea the creation, use, and decoration of canoes have retained their historical significance. Prow ornaments were often used not only as decoration for the canoe but also as a protective amulet. It functioned to both keep the crew safe on their travels and ensure success in fishing.

The imagery of these prow ornaments often combines humans, birds, and fish. This example features a prominent bird figure on top with the addition of hands and two heads, one looking forward the other looking back at the crew. The bird, which would have faced outward when attached to a canoe, has a special role, as birds were understood as particularly helpful to sailors as they can always find land.