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Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
Skull Hook
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
© Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami. All rights reserved.

Skull Hook

Artist/Maker (Artist Unknown)
Datelate 19th to early 20th century
Mediumwood, stain, shell beads and plant fiber
DimensionsOverall: 22 1/2 x 10 1/2 x 2 1/2 in. (57.2 x 26.7 x 6.4 cm)
ClassificationsVisual Works
Credit LineGift of The Rubin - Ladd Foundation
Terms
    Object number2005.43.23
    DescriptionLarge, carved wooden hooks are among the many intensely decorated objects kept in the men’s ceremonial houses. They can be used to suspend most anything from food, bags containing personal items, ceremonial paraphernalia, or, quite commonly, human skulls. The skulls may be of the owner’s ancestors or of ceremonial “kills.” Either kind of skull is likely to be richly decorated and may be displayed on ceremonial occasions such as naven. The form of the double hook at the base recalls the crescent moon, which is regarded as female, the gender of the figure on this hook. She may be regarded as protective and a spirit of fertility. The double hook has also been likened to a boat with a dead person standing in it, in which case the figure would be an ancestor.
    On View
    Not on view
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Iatmul people
    probably 1st half of the 20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    late 19th to early 20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Nukuma people
    ca. 1965
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    early to mid 20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    early 20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    late 19th to early 20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Nigeria, Igbo people
    20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    late 19th to early 20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Huari/Coastal Huari
    650-800
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    early 20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Maori people
    19th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    19th century