This is a very fine and old object that would have been lashed to the mast of the large outrigger sailing canoes used by Schouten Islanders on their ceremonial trading voyages, mostly to the Murik Lakes on the mainland. You can see grooves right behind the bird's head caused by ropes used to haul up the sail. The ancestor figure was helpful in ensuring favorable winds and seas on these open ocean voyages. The figure has a native repair using both wire and bush material. Overall the piece is 33 ½" in height, dates to the 1930s. sold