![| Samban [mother and child suspension hook]](images/400/240834.jpg)
Papua New Guinea, East Sepik Province
Samban [mother and child suspension hook] Mid 20th Century prior to 1953 , wood, shell, fibre, metal79.3 (h) x 27.0 (w) x 11.0 (d) cm The University of Queensland Anthropology Museum
Samban is the Iatmul name given to wonderfully sculptural suspension hooks along the Sepik River.
The most commonly encountered are functional domestic objects, anchor-like in form, suspended from the rafters of a house by rope. They are designed to keep netted fibre bags of food, sago cakes and smoked fish, assorted valuables and occasionally even sleeping babies out of harm’s way.
Samban take many diverse forms and truly attest to the artistry of Sepik carvers. Each one is beautifully carved in the form of a specific named ancestor or spirit being. The image of the mother and suckling child is relatively rare. This nurturing imagery relates to the figure being a form of protective spirit over the household to ward off evil spirits and watch over children in the house while their mother is away fishing.
Samban is the Iatmul name given to wonderfully sculptural suspension hooks along the Sepik River.
The most commonly encountered are functional domestic objects, anchor-like in form, suspended from the rafters of a house by rope. They are designed to keep netted fibre bags of food, sago cakes and smoked fish, assorted valuables and occasionally even sleeping babies out of harm’s way.
Samban take many diverse forms and truly attest to the artistry of Sepik carvers. Each one is beautifully carved in the form of a specific named ancestor or spirit being. The image of the mother and suckling child is relatively rare. This nurturing imagery relates to the figure being a form of protective spirit over the household to ward off evil spirits and watch over children in the house while their mother is away fishing.
Samban is the Iatmul name given to wonderfully sculptural suspension hooks along the Sepik River.
The most commonly encountered are functional domestic objects, anchor-like in form, suspended from the rafters of a house by rope. They are designed to keep netted fibre bags of food, sago cakes and smoked fish, assorted valuables and occasionally even sleeping babies out of harm’s way.
Samban take many diverse forms and truly attest to the artistry of Sepik carvers. Each one is beautifully carved in the form of a specific named ancestor or spirit being. The image of the mother and suckling child is relatively rare. This nurturing imagery relates to the figure being a form of protective spirit over the household to ward off evil spirits and watch over children in the house while their mother is away fishing.
