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Details
- Other Title
- Man's ceremonial lap lap
- Place where the work was made
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Nipa
→
Nipa-Kutubu District
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Southern Highlands Province
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Papua New Guinea
- Cultural origin
- Wola people
- Dates
- mid 20th century
collected 1968 - Media categories
- Mixed media , Animal material , Botanical material , Textile
- Materials used
- plant fibre string, red and yellow pigment, 'tigaso' tree oil, plaited split-rattan chains, 18 pig tails, 2 animal tails
- Dimensions
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18.5 x 43.0 cm panel; 60.0 cm length, including 'streamers'
:
0 - Whole, 18.5 cm (7 5/16"), width of oval-shaped band
0 - Whole, 43 cm (16 15/16"), length of oval-shaped band
- Credit
- Purchased 1977
- Location
- Not on display
- Accession number
- 248.1977
- Copyright
- © Wola people, under the endorsement of the Pacific Islands Museums Association's (PIMA) Code of Ethics
- Share
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About
This pig-tail-fringed apron adorner was worn on special occasions to enhance a man's appearance. Although acquired in Wola territory in the southern highlands, they were more common among neighbouring Huli people. The 'kwiy aegop' was worn in front of long aprons with the side straps tucked into a bark girdle. They lasted for many years and were stored in protective leaf parcels.
Tightly knitted from lengths of bast fibre, the size and shape vary from small and triangular to large and rectangular. The outer surface is coloured with 'dind hat' (red ochre) or powdered trade-store paint mixed with 'tigaso' tree oil or pig grease.
The lower edge is adorned with linked chains of cane and tassels of tails from animals killed by the owner, his relatives and friends. The origin of the 'kwiy aegop' is unknown, but in the past they were highly treasured objects.
[Exhibition text for 'Plumes and pearlshells: art of the New Guinea highlands', AGNSW, 2014]
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Exhibition history
Shown in 2 exhibitions
Aboriginal and Melanesian art, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 19 Oct 1974 -
Plumes and pearlshells: art of the New Guinea highlands, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 30 May 2014–10 Aug 2014
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Bibliography
Referenced in 4 publications
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Lynn Chua, Microchemical Journal, 'FTIR and Raman microscopy of organic binders and extraneous organic materials on painted ceremonial objects from the Highlands of Papua New Guinea', pg. 246-256, Amsterdam, 2017, 248, 250, 252.
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Paul Sillitoe, Made in Niugini: Technology in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea, 'Apron adorner', pg. 454-456, London, 1988. General description of Wola production of apron adorners with pig tail fringe.
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Tony Tuckson, Aboriginal and Melanesian art, Sydney, 1973, 29, (illus.), 49. cat.no. H10
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Natalie Wilson (Editor), Plumes and pearlshells: art of the New Guinea highlands, Sydney, 2014, 127 (colour illus.), 162. cat.no. 72
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