Orators Stool

Carved, wood stool consisting of a standing figure on a base with bent knees and arms extending parallel to body. Palms facing inside body. The large, oval shaped face is fringed with cassowary feathers and elaborately painted brown, black and white. Framing the face is inlaid with small cowrie shells. The face has circular-like shapes encompassing the large protruding eyes inlaid with shells. The nose is long, narrow and slightly projects at the tip. On the cheeks are triangular tattoo-like incisions. The mouth is open with the tongue protruding out. The chest is incised with geometric designs and a large rectangular carved pendant in the middle. Around the waist is a woven cord loincloth covering the prominent genital area. Attached to the lower back of the figure is semi-circular stool with a small mask on lower part of leg. The face is incised with lines and has protruding eyes, nose and tongue. The body of the figure is covered in black, charcoal ? pigment.