Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number CAS 2001-0004-0007   CAS 2001-0004-0007; Gope board
Category Carvings
Object Name Gope board
Culture Melanesian
Global Region Oceania
Country Papua New Guinea
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1960s
Collection Name N/A
Materials Wood; Pigments
Description Gope board used to maintain an ancestor's spiritual presence in the community; Flat, elongated board is carved from single piece of wood and has a wide rectangular handle extending from one end; front of board is carved in low relief with very stylized human face and a decorative geometric border along the edges; Portions of the carved design are filled in with white pigment, while other areas are stained black or rust brown.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 27.0, Thickness = 1.6, Length = 188.5