ancestor pole
Melville / Bathurst
appr. 26 inch
around 1950
hardwood, painted
with base
Euro 3.500

These poles were used only during the mourning rites and places outside. The god Purukapali created the first ever and placed it close to the burial site of his son near the sea. Pukamani ceremonies promise the life after death and enable the passed away person to reach the afterworld.
This pole had a woodworm infestation; this has been successfully treated and stopped. There is some superficial damaging (stabelised).