MELANESIA. Solomon Islands. Standing Mother with Child Figure...

Description

MELANESIA
Solomon Islands
Standing Mother with Child Figure

wood, pigment

The Solomon Islands are divided into eastern, central and western groups. Hardwood forests are to be found on many islands, and wood figure carving has flourished. Traditional forms and uses of these carvings were influenced by the demands of Europeans engaged in maritime trade in the 19th century, and later by missionaries. Today, many Solomon Islanders carve local hardwoods into a variety of figures and utilitarian items for tourists.

The present mother and child image is carved in a hard, dark wood resembling ebony. Details are accentuated with an applied white substance, perhaps lime. Facial features, hairstyle and the figure's legs and feet resemble those of traditional carvings from the eastern group of the Solomons, but the clothing, naturalistic proportions and pose of the mother carrying her child may well reflect European or missionary influence, and in view of its blend of traditional and European stylistic characteristics, it is difficult to attribute the carving to a specific island of the eastern Solomons group. Dates from the "steamer period," when trading vessels plied the waters of Melanesia, and carvings in traditional style were created for sale or trade.

Provenance:
The Robert V. Berg Collection

Read more about the Robert V. Berg Collection here.

Height: 35 ½ inches

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