Dong Son culture, centered in Vietnam, spread its influence and trade network across Southeast Asia, reaching even islands near Papua New Guinea through extensive trade of bronze artifacts like drums, tools, and ornaments, showing links to PNG through shared bronze types and trade routes after the Lapita network, with some bronze axes identified as Dong Son-style found in PNG as evidence of this prehistoric exchange. Many Dongson inspired cultural objects have been found around Lake Sentani, and there is a theory that the interlocking, repetitive scrolled patterning depicted here descends from that artistic tradition. The dish has been carved in the form of a stylised turtle, with the handle representing the head. The turtle, along with the hornbill, frog and varan, are clan ancestors. Unlike purely ceremonial objects, such bowls were utilitarian and were the property of women.

Turtle bowl
carved wood and pigments
19th century or before
Donson culture influenced artifact
Lake Sentani area, West Papua New Guinea

#tribal #tribalart #oceanicart #papua #lakesentani
#turtle #bowl #19thcentury #dongsonculture #inspired