Pendant Figure (mimia type)
- Culture
- Kiwai artist
- Culture
- Fly River artist
- Date
- probably 20th century
- Classification
- Jewelry & personal accessories, wood
- Collection
- Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas
- Current Location
- Not on view
- Dimensions
- 15 1/2 x 3 1/16 in. (39.4 x 7.8 cm)
- Credit Line
- Bequest of Morton D. May
- Rights
- Public Domain
- Object Number
- 1397:1983
NOTES
For an important part of their history the Kiwai people were sea-going traders, spreading their influence far beyond their home base on the low-lying island of Kiwai. In the early 20th century the Kiwai had no ranking within their society, no rich and no poor people. Women possessed their own property but were excluded from public affairs. The huge men's house was the center of village life.
The Kiwai used wooden human images in the mimia, or fire ceremony, that was connected with the initiation of young men. The braided fiber strap attached to this figure would have been used to tie the image around the neck of a young initiate.
The Kiwai used wooden human images in the mimia, or fire ceremony, that was connected with the initiation of young men. The braided fiber strap attached to this figure would have been used to tie the image around the neck of a young initiate.
Provenance
- 1965
Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc., New York, NY, USA
1965 - 1983
Morton D. May (1914-1983), St. Louis, MO, USA, purchased at auction of Primitive Art, Parke-Bernet Galerries, Inc., New York, April 22, 1965, lot no. 103 [1]
1983 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, bequest of Morton D. May [2]
Notes:
[1] An invoice dated April 22, 1965 from Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc. to Morton D. May documents the purchase of this object, listed as "103 Female Figure" [SLAM document files; Primitive Art, Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc., New York, April 22, 1965, lot no. 103].
[2] Last Will and Testament of M. D. May dated June 11, 1982 [copy, May Archives, Saint Louis Art Museum]. Minutes of the Acquisitions and Loans Committee of the Board of Trustees, Saint Louis Art Museum, September 20, 1983.
Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc., New York, NY, USA
1965 - 1983
Morton D. May (1914-1983), St. Louis, MO, USA, purchased at auction of Primitive Art, Parke-Bernet Galerries, Inc., New York, April 22, 1965, lot no. 103 [1]
1983 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, bequest of Morton D. May [2]
Notes:
[1] An invoice dated April 22, 1965 from Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc. to Morton D. May documents the purchase of this object, listed as "103 Female Figure" [SLAM document files; Primitive Art, Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc., New York, April 22, 1965, lot no. 103].
[2] Last Will and Testament of M. D. May dated June 11, 1982 [copy, May Archives, Saint Louis Art Museum]. Minutes of the Acquisitions and Loans Committee of the Board of Trustees, Saint Louis Art Museum, September 20, 1983.
We regularly update records, which may be incomplete. If you have additional information, please contact us at provenance@slam.org.