Context (Field collection)
Made from unseasoned, green wood from a ti tree, which is also used to make canoes. The long line of darker heart wood visible along the centre of the prow- covered up with the white pigment (baked and ground mussel shell). Carved with ordinary Japanese made axes, chisels etc, bought at the toko [shop]

The logs for the prow were cut by Rodan in the jungle. He bought one log to the village and it was split so he had to decide at the end of day one whether to work on that log or get a new one. Rodana already had a commission for another canoe prow for the regent's son so was under pressure to make Nicks, given Nick was only in Sa for 4 days. Nick therefore took his courage in hands and asked Rodan to start again. Rodan subsequently abandoned the original log and went up to the Hutan [jungle] and got the second log in his canoe. Images given by the donor show the first and second logs.

Rodan has two assistants, these are 'ordinary' carvers who assist the Master carver. They are relatives from the same village of 'Sawa' . He was also assisted by a young carver in pink T-shirt, who learnt initially by observation then participation. See associated images.

One of the associated photos also shows a bowl of red pigment. This is clay based, and the clay is burnt 3 times, mixed and smashed into a liquid and heated three times. It become a very bright red, but is now very faded. Takes about 2 hours to dry the white. Then carves the decorative curvilinear elements and ties on the bright green, fresh stripped pandanus leaves [now faded].

The prow needed to be portable so a section was cut off the base. Nick sat on the plane with Bishop Alo Murwito on the return journey from Ewer [landing strip on south coast] on way to Tinika, with the canoe prow across their laps. In Tinika DHL made the crate to ship it [from old doors with numbers on still- wrapped in rice packets]. When crate arrived home, Nick had intended to use it as fire wood, but it was full of live termites.


From notes taken in conversation with the donor, 4/7/21018

Event Date 4/10/2018
Author: rachel hand

Description (Physical description)
Carved canoe prow made from ti tree wood, of a human male figure with connected to three pelicans. Made by Rodan Omomá, covered in white lime produced from baked and ground mussel shell, with features on the pelicans and human figure picked out in red clay pigment and black charcoal.
With three pairs of sago plant fibre tassels on each side. These are now faded from the original bright green when fresh. The lime coating the surface of the wood is flaking badly
Event Date 6/8/2020
Author: rachel hand

Context (Related Documents)
The associated digital images stored on the server show the making of the canoe prow in August 2010 by Rodan Omomá in Sa, Asmat, Papua and includes images with pastor, Vince Cole, MM [Maryknoll Mission- an American order]

From notes taken in conversation with the donor, 4/7/21018
Event Date 25/5/2023
Author: rachel hand

Context (Display)
Exhibited by Nick Stanley, Chair of MAA Friends, as part of his lunch time talk, 'Lady Clementine Spencer Churchill's Asmat Shields', Babington Workroom, MAA
Event Date 6/9/2023
Author: rachel hand