“Asmat”
My curiosity about the “Asmat”, a people who live in New Guinea was aroused by their everyday utensils that largely come complete with openwork wood carving. Practically all these utensils fulfil a ritual function related to ancestor worship; the objects serve as intermediaries between the living and the dead.
I also attach particular value to a number of objects because they are symbolic of certain people and events from my past.
Ancestor worship and the openwork carving of the “Asmat” peoples are the inspiration for this collection of jewellery.
“Urn” 1995 | silver, pearls, silk | height 35mm
“Cottage” 1995 | ring | silver, pearls | height 45mm
“Little tree” 1995 | ring | silver | height 40mm
“Cage” 1995 | brooch | silver, 14 krt gold, pearls | length 300mm
“Zeeland ” 1995 | necklace | silver | length 500mm
“Tubs” 1995 | necklace | silver, glass beads | length 350mm
“Tubs” 1995 | necklace | silver, glass beads | length 350mm
“Boxes” 1995 | necklace | silver, glass beads | length 400mm
“Boxes” 1995 | for buttonhole | silver, glass beads | height 30mm
“Asmat” 1995 | rings | silver, glass beads | ø 35mm
“Cubes” 1995 | necklace | silver, glass beads | length 450mm
“Puzzle lock” 1995 | necklace | silver, glass beads | ø 200mm
“Cubes” 1995 | necklace | silver, glass beads | ø 200mm
“Ringlet” 1995 | necklace | 14 krt gold, glass beads | length 500mm
“Grids “1995 | necklace | silver, pearls | ø 250mm
“Grids” 1995 | pearl necklace | silver, pearls | ø 400mm
photography by Tom Haartsen
translation by Donald Gardner
Sita Falkena 