Stand Papuan Crucifix

Following the arrival of Christian missionaries in Papua during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many Papuan communities began integrating Christian symbols into their existing artistic traditions. One notable example is the reinterpretation of the crucifix, a cross bearing the figure of Jesus Christ, through indigenous Papuan woodcarving practices. Rather than directly adopting European forms, Papuan sculptors infused the crucifix with ancestral imagery, local cosmological symbols, and elongated forms associated with fertility, lineage, and spiritual continuity. The resulting sculptures reflect a unique cultural fusion in which Christian narratives coexist with indigenous beliefs, blending the imagery of Christ with symbols of ancestors, protection, and the connection between the human and spiritual realms.

repro, made in Jepara
Material: Teakwood
Dimension: 33 x 18 x 1,5 cm