PNG Handcraft Exports - FIGURINES AND ORATOR'S STOOLS

FIGURINES AND ORATOR'S STOOLS

Figurines and statues in Papua New Guinean art fall into two broad groups: ancestral and spirit. Sometimes the distinction between these two types is functional rather than visual.

Some types of figurines and statues are very consistent in appearance. This is so when a particular village or district has a "trademark" style. In other areas there is a distinct genre but wide variation in appearance of individual works.

Most figurines and statues are small to medium in size, ie 30 inches (75cm) high or less. Orator's stools, on the other hand, may range up to 3 metres in height. An orator's stool is a statue of an ancestral or spirit figure sitting on a stool. The figure represents an ethereal convenor or "chairman" of meetings in Sepik men's houses. During meetings, speakers tap or slap the orator statue to give authority to their words.

On this page we present some examples of TYPES of figurines, statues and orator's stools which we are able to procure. These are not pictures of actual items available, although often we can supply something similar. Most pieces are recently crafted and some items have been used in the village before being sold.

Our various suppliers, between them, have over a thousand pieces available at any one time. Forgive us, then, if we cannot supply photos of all the actual items currently available. With figurines what we generally do is supply pieces that are as similar as possible to items on this page as nominated by the customer.

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Email: info@pnghandcrafts.8k.com

SMALLER FIGURINES approx $15-$20