Minneapolis Institute of Art

Malagan Frieze

Papua New Guinea (New Ireland)

Date

19th century

Medium

Wood, pigment, shell

Department

Arts of Oceania

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

This frieze is a bold interpretation of the New Ireland theme of a struggle between birds and snakes—a common subject of ceremonial Malagan sculpture and dance performances because it represents the idea that the sky (birds) and the earth (snakes) preserve the natural order through their constant opposition. Two chickens, surrounded by stylized foliage, accompany a smaller frigate bird along the top edge. The three birds hold the body of an undulating black snake in their beaks. Papua New Guinea, Oceania

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