Korwar Figure

Cenderawasih Bay Region, West Papua
19th-early 20th c

Provenance: Rodger Dashow collection, Boston

Korwar figures embody the enduring spiritual bond between the living and their ancestors among the coastal peoples of Cenderawasih Bay. This powerful example is defined by its large domed head, with boldly carved features—the arrow-shaped nose and arched brows projecting a commanding presence. The figure sits grasping vertical columns that rise from a rectangular shield or barrier, its surface marked by a crisply incised “X” motif.

Created to house the spirits of the dead, korwar served as vessels of ancestral power, acting as focal points for prayer, divination, and offerings. Through their presence, ancestors continued to guide and protect the living, ensuring balance within the community. The raw, faceted planes of this carving heighten its sculptural energy, underscoring its potency as both representation and spirit vessel. Though modest in size, it radiates monumental authority—a conduit between the earthly and the ancestral realms.